Nine Years

[fencerm2]

Today is November 30th. In addition to being the birthdays of my stepmother and unicornpearlz, today is also the 9th anniversary of my accident.

Hard to believe it's been 9 years already. But it has. And on the plus side - I barely noticed today's passing.

Used to be, for a host of reasons, I avoided this day. Tried to hide from it, really. But I'm past that now. Still...it gives a person pause.

For anyone unaware of what I am talking about above - November 30, 1999 - I was struck by a car while crossing a street a quarter mile from home. It was a hit-and-run.  My right leg was shattered at the tibia, and my right clavical was shattered as well, resulting in a stretching of the brachial plexus and nerve damage. This is why my right leg has one fused bone where there should be a tibia/fibula, and my right shoulder is made of titanium now.

I spent the next year between surgeries, hospitals, and various forms of physical therapy working hard to recover.  And beyond a lot of what was expected, I recovered completely.  Sure I have some wild scars and some range-of-motion issues in my ankle, but I can fully use my arm, and I can walk without a limp.  I can even run. 

My life was forever changed on that day.  But in many ways, it was changed for the better.  I learned a great deal about myself I did not know before, and about the human spirit.  And support of friends and family.

I just couldn't let today go completely unnoticed.  And I am so very grateful for my amazing doctors and therapists who worked with me to get me to where I am now.  And I am grateful to my friends and family for their support as well.

You can never show too much true gratitude, nor say thank you too many times.

Comments

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I am very glad you're still here and doing so well.

[gwenlianna.livejournal.com]

*hug*
I didn't know you then, but I'm glad you had the support and the stubbornness that you needed to get through. I wish you hadn't had to go through a near tragedy like that. I lack the ability to change the past though, so I'll have to settle for being impressed by your ability to see what you gained from the experience.

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

I too am glad you are still here, and I admire the person you became for having gone through this.

[pixel39.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

And we are much much happier that you are still here with us.

[edelweiss68.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[owynn.livejournal.com]

That which doesn't kill you, gets reconstructed with titanium.

[nauraki.livejournal.com]

Wow. Thanks for sharing this story.

For Remembrance.

[shades-of-nyx.livejournal.com]

I feel similarly about the anniversaries related to my illness. For me, October 24 is that day. The day I realized I had mono, and nothing was the same after that. I believe it is healthy to take a moment and sit with the emotions of these anniversaries. We can note the things that have changed, and the things that have stayed the same. We can add new goals, and celebrate accomplishments. And, we can notice how changed we are by the hurdles thrown in our paths by the Fates.
But, that's the Priestess talking.
The "girl" says, celebrate NOW! Be alive NOW! And, have another drink for me!

[rlg.livejournal.com]

wow ... that long?
I remember you marshalling a tourney at mudthaw from a wheelchair (no, I forget which one).

[chrystie69.livejournal.com]

I understand! You will find as time goes on you won't think of the 'anniversary' After the first 10 years the date slipped from my consciousness for my accident. August 21st has just become another day. I know what you mean by how it changed your life forever, sometimes people don't understand how long-lasting the affects can be!

[ownedbytwins.livejournal.com]

Wow, I can't believe it has been that long! You amaze and inspire me with what you have done in the last nine years. The time we visited you in the hospital is etched into my memory. Right next to the one where you were teaching me to fence, and said, "So move..." in a very good impression of the Genie from Aladdin. :)

[artisticphoenix.livejournal.com]

See, your determination is what I point at when someone whines to me that the bar is too high for the Order of the Golden Rapier.

I tell them, yeah, you think you have it hard, that guy over there - he got hit by a car, recovered, and then he came back and became an OGR.

You are a shining example of what people can do if they are determined, willing and hard working.

[anastasiav.livejournal.com]

Ivan and I were talking about your accident last night. I've had such a hard time dealing with the mess that my (much less severe) one has caused in my life -- I honestly can't imagine how you got through everything, and I'm not sure that I could have done the same in your place. (Actually, I'm still not sure I can. I mean, I will, but some days its just so freaking hard to do the simple things....)

Anyway, I wanted you to know how much I admire you -- now that I've taken about one step in the shoes you wore especially. You are brave and strong and I'm really glad you're still with us.

Thank you!

[fencerm2.livejournal.com]

Hang in there! I know how much being less-than-mobile in your own home can suck! It is frustrating and painful and not fun. But you have a LOT of support from friends and family, and you are a strong person - so I have no doubt you will get through this!

Find distractions. Don't read the news - read comics. Make yourself laugh. Find things that make you smile. Recovery is SO much easier when you aren't finding more things to bring yourself down. Dwelling on the suck doesn't speed healing.

If I can be of any help, I will do whatever I can.