The Devastating Day That Changed My Life: 2 Years On
Thank heaven I had no idea what lay ahead
Sunday, Nov. 3 was the 2-year anniversary of the day my world was blown up by a life-altering injury. I’d just moved back to Calgary from England and was staying in the basement of a “dear friend” (or so I thought) until I sorted myself out and found a place to live. He had offered, commenting on the 2 years I had been a huge support to him and his wife when she was dying of cancer. He said it was his turn to help me. I was grateful for a place to land.
This anniversary hit me harder than I’d expected, as most of the time I’m focused on how grateful I am to be able to walk again — if not perfectly (yet!) — and even though my leg is still not fully healed, I am independent.
I woke up on Sunday and as I sat up in bed and threw back the duvet, I glanced down at my bare legs — and my deformed, swollen right knee. And I remembered.
“Two years ago today…”
It all came flooding back. A rush of images, taking me back to where I would never want to be again.
I was unprepared for the tears that followed, remembering that first, horrifying moment where it all began…
Lying on the wet sidewalk, unable to move. How did I get here?