'FALL RISK'

A few days after returning from Seattle where I had a skin cancer removed, my wife showed me the wrist bands I’d worn during surgery. One bore my name and date of birth, the other -- a police-tape-yellow number -- read simply “FALL RISK.”

At first I was insulted that anyone would consider me at risk of tipping over, even in an impaired state. After giving it a bit of thought, however, I realized I’ve always been a fall risk.

Not that I often fall, but I’ve lived a life where much of the time doing so would be quite painful, if not fatal. I’ve climbed roofs and walked floor joists on constructi...