I have the honor of connecting with many fellow survivors and thrivers who share the same goal: lift up others. Christie Richardson Schreppel’s comeback from two life-changing events shows how dedication, positivity, and continued efforts lead to worthwhile results. Christie, like many, had to work for recovery and rehabilitation progress, and she stayed positive and faithful throughout.
Finding Motivation, Movement, & Momentum After Paralysis
As I unwillingly welcomed my new dependence, I said goodbye, for now, to my independence. MOTIVATION, MOVEMENT, and MOMENTUM were now my singular vision and my full-time job to recover from paralysis. My very survival depended on conquering those three goals. It didn’t matter how I got there, and nothing, or nobody would stand in my way.
Inspiration During Recovery and Now
However, as time goes on it’s easy to start feeling withdrawn, as though you no longer feel a connection with those who are trying to help you. It’s by no means the people: sometimes it’s the devastation and type of trauma experienced which causes a conflict and the inability to hear and accept the words of peace being bestowed while you’re trying heal. Their words and actions are forthright, but unknown to those helping is what they intend is better suited for people like themselves instead of what you face and fight for each day from the time you wake up until the end of your day. The more these polite and caring actions occur, the more it’s easy to feel withdrawn and not accepted. For instance, how does one explain what life is like in a wheelchair if those receiving the message have never spent time in one? How does one tell someone with PTSD everything will be ok if they’ve never experienced what caused the PTSD? The message by those people intending to help may only come across as noise, or notes on a sheet of music and void of lyrics. In other words, the people offering help and the person who needs it are more than likely speaking two different languages and neither understand the other.
There are a few things to consider here from both parties. For the person who is injured consider the following:
5 Key Things to Know About a Disabled Loved One, From a Disabled Individual
I would like to say to all the family members, friends, and caregivers who are currently helping someone who is disabled in any way that your patience and efforts never go unnoticed and are always the kindest of gifts and the best of blessings. You are heroes to all of us who struggle and combat our daily bonds in one way or another. Whether or not we realize it, you make each day worth fighting for, and what afflicts us goes away even if only for a few short moments. You have the ability to help us heal through happiness by pulling our thoughts toward something or someplace much better.
It’s never easy to do what you do for us. You may beat yourself up wondering, Was what I did today enough? Did I say or do the right thing? Did I spend enough time? Am I actually helping?