Whoever thought that something sipmle as walking would be such a big deal in my life?  Well, it is, and I am grateful.  Very  grateful.

When I was 20, twenty years ago, I was involved in an accident with a drunk driver.  The drunk driver came out okay, the car and I, on the other hand: not so well.  The car was totaled, and I was very nearly totaled myself.  Massive injuries to my spinal column, head injury, numerous broken bones that warrented a long stay in the hospital.  

Dcotors were not very optimistic about my chances of ever walking again.  They said I would be paralyzed from the waist on down.  I would probably have to spend my remaining days in a wheelchair.

Well, God had other plans.  And so did I.  I was determined to prove them wrong.  Those dumb doctors didn't know everything, I kept telling myself.  And even if I did spend the rest of my life in a chair, I still could have a happy, productive life: I would just have to do things a little differently was all.

I took my first steps four months after getting injured.  I was walking on a walker, but by God, I was WALKING.  I had the last laugh on those doctors.  My family rejoiced every step I took.  I did fall a lot, that was true , but by God, I was WALKING!!!!

Numerous bruises, falls, and scrapes later, I graduated from a walker to two crutches clamped to my arms.  They were a lot more intimidating than the security of the walker, but I was determined to try to get my life back, one (unsteady) step at a time.

Flash forward, twenty years later:

I'm now in my forties, still walking.  I still use the crutches, but my walking has improved markedly; they may slow me up a little bit, but they haven't stopped me from doing what I enjoy most: taking walks with my husband and kids, enjoying motherhood and thanking God for a wonderful, supportive husband and two precious, healthy children.  These crutches (and my paralyzed legs)  have taken me to Disneyworld in Florida, Niagara Falls in Canada, Kenai National Park in Alaska, and Buckingham Palace in London, England.  As long as there's not too much in the way of obstacles to trip me up, I can get around quite efficiently.

I have run into some of those naysaying doctors who told me I would not walk, and the looks on their faces is worth everything.  When they see me walking, they are absolutely amazed.  Don't blame them.  Yet they didn't know my can-do spirit or my determination.  When I set a goal to do something, I usually end up meeting that goal.  Learning to walk again after a devastating accident is no exception.

I could have very easily chose to live in bitterness and hate over what happened to me, but what happened happened for a reason and I chose to forgive the drunk driver who changed my life forever.  It has been a healing balm for me and I have been set free by God's mercy and grace.  And because of my thankful attitude, God has blessed me abundantly by allowing me to walk again, meeting my future husband, having a family, and the funds to be able to travel around the world with my family.  I also work as a liason for an employment agency that hires people who are disabled.

I have been busy writing a book; I am writing about what I have gone through, in the hopes of reaching other people who may be in my situation, to let them know that illness or sudden disability doesn't have to stop them from persuing their goals in life.  It happened to me; it can happen to them, too.  It all depends on attitude.

~To be continued.~