Girl in a Cast

Origin stories and tales the body tells

Photo: Lisa Hartman

I was born a little broken. The problem was quickly diagnosed and named, so the professionals could easily discuss my brokenness with my parents. “A congenital hip problem,” they were told. A mild birth defect. It explains so much. Or maybe nothing at all.

To illustrate my problem, make a fist with your right hand. Now, cup the top of that fist…