There I was on a chilly October evening, already sober, standing in the student section with two minutes left until the end of the football game and about to witness yet another loss.

All of a sudden, my foot slipped and I fell back a step. As I tried to stand back up, my foot gave up on me and I couldn't put it against the ground. I found out the next morning at the emergency room that I had broken my fifth metatarsal and was going to have to walk around in crutches for at least a month.

My first thought was -- why now?

I had so much going on this semester, from being a senior cops reporter to being involved in two other organizations, that also took up a lot of time, to all the school work I had.

While I was a bit stressed with everything I had to do, I'm the type of person that would rather be overwhelmed than bored. Having a broken foot was not the thing that I wanted at this point. I gave the crutches a try for three days and almost died. I had to use muscles I had never used before, learn how to go up steps in the weirdest ways, and how to balance myself on one foot. Not to mention I was also drowsy from Vicodin and getting used to a hard cast crushing my foot. I couldn't get around fast on crutches to get my responsibilities accomplished efficiently. Then I had the idea of getting a motorized scooter.

I looked in the phone book and found a medical supply store that rented scooters. I called them and asked them about the scooters and its rates -- $250 for the month was worth it. Especially because my insurance or the university might be paying for it since the accident happened in the stadium. The next day the scooter was delivered to my apartment.

It made things a lot easier for me, but it didn't solve all my new crippled-life problems. It did, though, make me realize and appreciate so many things that most people take for granted such as walking, taking showers or dancing.

Things happen for a reason and I feel that breaking my foot was more than just a silly accident.

Before my accident I was always on a caffeine high so I wouldn't have to sleep and get everything done. My head was full of dandruff from all the stress I had. I never prayed. On the weekends, I would overindulge in alcohol and just go wild to release my frustrations, and I started smoking to calm my oral fixation due to stress. I disappointed my best friends with some incidents. I was on a path to self-destruction. Instead of considering my broken foot situation a catastrophe, I saw it as my turning point. I told myself it would make me stronger physically and emotionally. Well, physically, maybe just my arms and one of my thighs, but that's still better than nothing.

My optimism gave me an open mind to experience many new things.

I learned to save A&W Sons some money on its water bill by taking a shower once every three days (you try taking a shower without being able to stand up or getting your right leg wet.)

I learned to go to parties and not drink so I wouldn't break something else and so I wouldn't get a DUI driving my scooter back home.

I learned that people are nicer when you are handicapped, but then there are those that do not hold doors open or give you the right of way, even if you are about to head into a busy intersection. I learned that every architect that designed each building at Penn State must have been crazy because they placed every handicap ramp and elevator in the oddest place possible such as in basements and creepy hallways.

I learned that everyone is still a kid inside because everyone who has ridden my scooter has had fun driving it. Some people have even tried figuring out how they will split the money to rent one for a month.

I learned how to go up and down steps in every position possible -- hopping on one foot, crawling up, using my crutches as support for my stiletto heal, getting carried by a boy, sliding down and butt-bumping my way down. I learned to dance with three legs or one leg and crutches, and not fall and kill myself. I learned I should be careful about choosing friends, because once you need extra attention, people disappear.

While it may seem like my life isn't that fun now, I enjoy every second of it. Don't let one change bring you down. It's weird though, that it took breaking my foot to appreciate things in life, realize who my true friend are, and get a fun ride to class.