I worked very hard to get into a very physical job and I made it. It was the beginning of my professional career, I wanted to do this since I was a kid. I was 22.
A few weeks went by, still couldn't believe they were paying me to do something I loved so much :) Of course, one regular day going to work on my motorcycle a distracted pedestrian crossed illegally and without looking. It jumped from behind a big truck, impossible to avoid.
Due to the collision I fell right on the corner of the curb. I was driving slowly, the height of the seat to the curb was high enough to break a vertebra and bruise my spinal cord. I became a paraplegic at that instant, for life.
He got a small crack in his arm.
My professional career and all my dreams vanished. I watched my colleagues and friends move on enjoying life and the fruits of that effort. I was very envious, but nobody could do anything about it. I felt robbed.
Obviously I can't walk but it's so much more than that. Surveys among fellow paralyzed tend to show "walking" as the last "feature" we'd all like to have back.
I can't feel anything from the belly button down either. Simple things like going to the bathroom are no longer simple. I enjoyed sex a lot, goodbye to any of that. I get regular annoying spasms. I hava to take a bunch of pills every 8h
I have severe chronic pain for which I have to take morphine regularly, which does not come without major side effects. I have to have surgery from time to time for adjustments and other stuff secondary to the injury.
Fortunately, I am happy. I was already a person who didn't grate at things out of my control, but learning stoicism cemented it. Just for the fact that I was born and have been able to look at the stars in our galaxy and others, I feel it has been worth it. I feel privileged.
I live with my amazing girldfriend, I enjoy stimulating hobbies and a day-to-day life that I don't take for granted.
It's heartbreaking to read! :( But thanks for sharing it. It's also a terrific reminder to those of us who are still "able" yet are dissatisfied with our lives for a variety of foolish reasons. And a good reminder that our lives may be turned upside down in an instant. I respect how you dealt with it while still enjoying life. Also good to hear that your girlfriend still loves and supports you. I wish you all the best!
I worked very hard to get into a very physical job and I made it. It was the beginning of my professional career, I wanted to do this since I was a kid. I was 22.
A few weeks went by, still couldn't believe they were paying me to do something I loved so much :) Of course, one regular day going to work on my motorcycle a distracted pedestrian crossed illegally and without looking. It jumped from behind a big truck, impossible to avoid.
Due to the collision I fell right on the corner of the curb. I was driving slowly, the height of the seat to the curb was high enough to break a vertebra and bruise my spinal cord. I became a paraplegic at that instant, for life. He got a small crack in his arm.
My professional career and all my dreams vanished. I watched my colleagues and friends move on enjoying life and the fruits of that effort. I was very envious, but nobody could do anything about it. I felt robbed.
Obviously I can't walk but it's so much more than that. Surveys among fellow paralyzed tend to show "walking" as the last "feature" we'd all like to have back. I can't feel anything from the belly button down either. Simple things like going to the bathroom are no longer simple. I enjoyed sex a lot, goodbye to any of that. I get regular annoying spasms. I hava to take a bunch of pills every 8h
I have severe chronic pain for which I have to take morphine regularly, which does not come without major side effects. I have to have surgery from time to time for adjustments and other stuff secondary to the injury.
Fortunately, I am happy. I was already a person who didn't grate at things out of my control, but learning stoicism cemented it. Just for the fact that I was born and have been able to look at the stars in our galaxy and others, I feel it has been worth it. I feel privileged.
I live with my amazing girldfriend, I enjoy stimulating hobbies and a day-to-day life that I don't take for granted.