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I Am Disabled

You don't know what mental anguish is until you have your health taken away from you. If you can walk, then consider yourself extremely lucky. Realize that you have so much. Don't waste it. To have the ability to go to the beach to smell the air, go for a hike in the mountains, have a drink with friends. I have none of this. Be greatful for what you have. I know everyone has their story. I have been there too, prior to my accident. But now I see that you must value every second and live life without any compromises. Break free! You honestly don't know the gift you have, to be physically able. I have not been able to walk for 2yrs...and there are a lot of people who are a lot worse off than me. I am working on recovery. Others don't have this ability at all.

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otto78 · 51-55, M

At 23 years of age I was casually hiking when I lost my footing on a steep eroded hillside. I tumbled downhill backward for a distance, causing a vertebral compression fracture. The bone shattered and damaged my spinal cord at the 5th thoracic level, completely paralyzing me. I'm now 50 and managing somewhat healthily. I relate very much to what you've shared here and elsewhere. For a time anger and bitterness overtook me, and I became self-destructive and abusive to others. I'm still living with the consequences of my choices made during that time.

Some of the loss--the disabling of certain physical functions--plagues me still today. Yeah, there are others who are a lot worse off than me and you, but each person's pain is his or her own to deal with. It has been said that life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you choose to respond to it. Today I've chosen to be less dysfunctional than a few days ago, but not as functional as I have proven I can be. Reading your story has helped me tweak my perspective. Thanks for sharing.

Now, in January 2019, how are you doing? Please update me (and SW) on your condition and state of mind.

Unlearn · 41-45, M

Been in an accident?

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Hutchman · 41-45, M

Yup, my thoughts exactly. But we're not looking for a cause anymore. Just trying to rehabilitate now. My full story is in my posts a week ago if you want to read it

Unlearn · 41-45, M

@Hutchman: If the exact area of hurt and the inflammation is identified, there is an option of laser treatment. It is quite effective...

Hutchman · 41-45, M

Thanks for your help. I have tried cold laser with no real results. It doesn't seem to be inflammation. I was in a car accident 15yrs ago which is the basis for all of this. Thanks so much for caring! ☺

SStarfish ·

I get cluster headaches so.. I know what not having full health is like (to a small degree)

Hutchman · 41-45, M

Health is everything. Everything falls by the way side when its taken away from you. I am unfamiliar with cluster headaches?

Dewkissedrose · 46-50, F

It's never easy when a person's health is taken away in such a way that life is altered. I can feel a strength in this post though. I sense that you are fighting against it.... despite the mental anguish.

SStarfish ·

Oh.. :/

This message was deleted by its author.

Hutchman · 41-45, M

Thanks. Take care of yourself. Rest up and you will be okay. Glad to hear it is getting better! And good to see you have this perspective. 😊

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