An out-of-the-ordinary surgery has me non-weight bearing and dependent on crutches and a hip brace for two months. You don’t realize how much of everyday life is affected by living lopsided—without the use of hands that equalize your balance on crutches—until you’re propped up between those two tall, triangular stakes.

With practice and a little ingenuity, you figure out how to compensate for some routines, but you aren’t going to grab the milk from the refrigerator, fold your laundry, carry the mail, water the plants, or sweep the crumbs off the floor. And if you drop something on the floor, it will stay there until a weight-bearing soul comes along to pick it up, so make sure it isn’t your phone. Normal life is anything but.

I’m beholding to many friends who have stepped up to fill in the gaps for me and ensure my every need is met. They’re my life balancers.

With a few exceptions, I’ve stayed inside the bubble of my home during my convalescence. But despite my handicap, there is one activity that I made a priority: to vote. I asked my neighbor, whose kindness far surpasses the stereotypical description of “friendly,” if I could go with her when she went to the poll. I was grateful but not surprised by her generosity when she agreed to carry me along.

Propped on my crutches, inching forward in the line to verify my voting status, I realized this year’s election is much like my inability to bear full weight. We US citizens expect the vetting of political candidates prior to Election Day to level the field and leave us standing with reasonably balanced choices. Not so in 2024 … because normal is anything but.

This year, no matter which side you lean toward, the political stage feels as lopsided as hopping around on one leg and hoping against a catastrophic fall. Adding to the imbalance are media outlets that believe they should make our decision for us rather than present us with facts to make our own. We’re tempted to chuck the load, sit down, and let this one pass.