Q: I tripped off the sidewalk and broke my foot. Now I have to use a ridiculous-looking knee scooter to get around. I wonder: Is my situation tarnishing my credibility with my colleagues and clients?
A: Having to rely on an assistive mobility device is likely to generate the “red car” effect. In other words, when you drive a red car you notice more red cars on the road and when you have to rely on a cast, crutches or a scooter you probably notice that you are not alone.
However, how you see yourself will determine how your colleagues and clients view you. If you feel ridiculous, you will act accordingly. Consider the following questions:
- Did the fall knock you off your game? Shatter your confidence?
- Are you taking the time to rest and recover? Note: Your body needs time to heal—don’t mess with Mother Nature.
- Do you get annoyed when folks ask, “What happened?” Take a breath. Don’t shatter your relationships.
- Do you have a fun story or elevator speech to talk about your injury with clients? Colleagues?
I wish you a full and speedy recovery and I recommend that you read Everybody’s Got Something, Robin Roberts’s inspirational book about the 174 days from the date of her 
bone marrow transplant to her return to work as co-anchor of Good Morning America. By contrast, a knee scooter may not be so ridiculous.