11 Years Post Injury

I don’t even know where to start with this post.  I can’t believe it’s already been 11 years, but at the same time, my accident seemed like ages ago!  I’m starting to forget what life was like as an able-bodied person. Sure, I remember my cheerleading and lacrosse days, not having to worry about how many times I can use the restroom while I’m out and about, or even if I CAN get into the bathroom to go.  But, those memories are fading and being a wheelchair user IS my normalcy.

Last year, I spoke about how people react to me celebrating my “Chairversary” or my Life Day.  In my Decade Chairversary post, I spoke about whether people should say “Happy Chairversary” and if it really was a happy occasion.  And yes, it is a happy occasion.

With the extent of my injuries in my accident, I should not have made it.  I should not be alive. No matter how many times I tell the story and talk about that part, it never seems real.  Even though I was so close to death, there was never a moment that I wanted to give up. It just wasn’t an option.

It will never be an option.

This life comes with its challenges.  From your body not cooperating, or an issue arising at SUCH a bad time to dealing with insurance companies, doctor’s offices/hospitals, and medical equipment suppliers, life throws curve ball after curve ball and you have to learn how to respond.  A problem solving class or an “ins and outs of SCI” class should be offered in inpatient programs to talk about navigating through this life! I have learned to try to laugh through most of these situations. It is the world in which we live and there is no way of controlling it.  So, if you don’t laugh, you will cry. And I do not have a pretty crying face 😉

Over the years

I have posted many things over the years on my Facebook page.  Sometimes a simple “4 years ago today…yay for life.” Sometimes is was a long post about how I’m stronger, more confident, and a better person because of my injury.  I also would post about getting out and enjoying life no matter what the situation is. Also throughout the years, my mother (especially my mother) and friends would post to my timeline offering words of gratitude, inspiration, and motivation.  Just as they speak that they are blessed for me to be in their life, words can’t explain how much appreciation I have for them in my life. I would not be the person I am without the support I have received over the years from MANY, MANY people – family members, close friends, not so close friends, new friends, buddies, and even just people I meet in passing.  Every single person touches my heart and has helped shape me into who I am today.

 

I have been involved in some things over the years.  Some might even say too many things. But, is that even possible?!  I have flown across the country on my own (multiple sites around the country), become a chapter leader – President, no less – for United Spinal Association, an Advocacy Regional Coordinator – also for United Spinal Association, taught math for 10 years at a residential treatment facility, became a research coordinator for spinal cord injury research, participated in Ms Wheelchair Ohio, become a board member for Linking Employment, Abilities, and Potential (LEAP), learned adaptive paddling – and made so many cool friends doing it, learned to love handcycling, bought a house, earned a Master’s Degree – and started another one, regained my independence with driving again, advocated for the entire disability community on a federal level – 4 times,  and probably SO much more! (And, there was no particular order to this list – whatever came to my head was written down).

My Message

Every time I post something about my Life Day and what it means to me there is a message.  Last year it was looking for silver linings and celebrating life. I guess every year the main overarching message is to celebrate life, and same goes with this year.  We are so busy nowadays that I often forget to stop and breathe and “smell the roses.” We need time to reflect and be present in this life full of technology and social media.  Don’t get me wrong, I love social media, I’m working on building a brand/business off of social media. But being present is VITAL.

 

I’m going to leave you with this message.  No matter what your situation is. Whether you have a spinal cord injury, a different injury/medical diagnosis, just having a bad phase in your life, or even having an amazingly happy phase in your life, stop and celebrate life. Tell people around you how much you appreciate them, tell yourself how much you appreciate and love yourself.  Treat yourself like the goddess (or prince) you are. Celebrate what is good in your life and make plans on developing the not so good. I (and a million others around the world) am living, breathing proof that life does go on after a spinal cord injury. I have had an amazing time living the past 11 years and I look forward to what my future holds.

 

As always, leave me some feedback either here – below this post, e-mail me (megs@thewheellifeblog.com), or on any of my social media platforms! (FB/IG/TW @wheellifeblog and Snapchat @megsh8).  I would love to hear from you and what I can do to help. If there is ANYTHING that you want to hear about – please let me know!  I can’t do any of this without YOU, so I would love to connect with you!

 

Let’s keep those happy thoughts, productivity and self-care going!  Live honestly, passionately, and with kindness!

Megs