I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13(KJV)
In other articles, I have mentioned that I have been physically handicapped since 1997. I hit a school bus in a Chevy Beretta. It happened on a Friday afternoon, when I was lost on a dirt road. I was trying to find a dairy farm to interview a farmer. I never did find that farm. I realized I was going to be late for a portion of my job at a daily newspaper. I panicked and started driving fast on this dirt road. I didn’t see the bus until it was too late. I slammed on my brakes and slid into the bus. The impact propelled my little car into the bus the second time before sliding across the road into a ditch. My right foot went through the floor of the car. My left knee was jammed into the steering wheel. The rescue team had to use the Jaws of Life to remove me from the car. Needless to say, there were major internal and external injuries due to this horrific wreck. Thank God, I was stabilized at a local hospital. This stabilization included three units of blood. I was then life fllighted to a hospital in Columbus,Ohio. I underwent two surgeries. I woke up on Saturday, September 13th, 1997 in a strange room afraid to move due to the pain. I had a boot on my left foot and an exterior fixator holding my right ankle together. My ribs were hurting because at some point both lungs had collapsed. Chest tubes are very painful. To make a long recovery journey short, after spending four and a half months in a wheel chair, I began learning to walk once again.
I started walking in 1998. I walked with a walker for about two weeks and then graduated to a cane. Currently, I am walking without a cane or walker, but the winter months give me quite a challenge. In the last fifteen years, I have learned what physical activity I can and cannot do. Walking is one thing I can still do. The 2012 summer has brought a couple rewarding experiences and joys back into my life. Due to consistently walking short distances on a country road with my dog and cat, I have built some new strength and stamina in my legs. This summer I actually swam in a lake. This is the first summer in fifteen years I have felt strong and confident enough to swim in a lake. I actually have swam out to a dock and back at a lake twice this year. This may seem strange, but before this year, my left leg didn’t seem to work at all. When I would try to use it in the water it would just hang limp. When I swam out to the dock this summer, I actually could do the American Crawl and breast stroke kicks. A big break through for me.
The other form of exercise I have been able to enjoy this summer has been bicycling. My parents gave me a Desoto Classic Tricycle as a gift years ago. Up until this summer, my legs haven’t been strong enough to pedal this cool bike. This summer I have enjoyed riding this bike on short trips on the Great Guernsey Trail near Cambridge, Ohio. It is a nicely paved trail with some very beautiful landscapes that run along Leatherwood Creek located in Guernsey County. I have also enjoyed short bike rides along river trails in Marietta and Zanesville, Ohio.
I watched the preview of Matthew Perry’s Go On television show. Go On is a show that I hope becomes a hit for NBC. Go On is a television show that provide a comical way to show people can overcome hard obstacles and continue on in life. It reminded me of not only my obstacles, but of people I love and care about who have perservered. Through the years I have learned to trust God and my faith has grown tremendously. I’m thankful for the family and friends I have. May all who have challenges in their lives find an inspiration and continue with their walk in recovery. All Things Are Possible If You Believe.
Sources:
Bible King James Version
Personal Knowledge
