Tag: amputee journey

Walking Through the Shadows

Walking Through the Shadows

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Facing Fear One Step at a Time

 

Fear doesn’t disappear just because we’ve healed, received a prosthesis, or reached a new milestone. Sometimes it’s still there when we try something unfamiliar, or return to something we used to do. This Halloween week, I’m talking about the fears that can hold us back and how we can begin moving through them, one step at a time.

I love Halloween, especially the creativity it gives me as an amputee. I’ve dressed as a leg lamp from A Christmas Story, a pirate, an IHOP sign, and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. There’s humor in making a costume around something that might otherwise feel hard. That spirit of finding possibility in our circumstances connects with this week’s bigger question: What fear is lurking in your shadow?

 

Sally for Nightmare Before Christmas

 

iHop sign

 

Gotta be a Pirate!

 

My recent fly-fishing trip gave me a vivid example. I was standing in rushing water, trying to find my footing on slick river rocks I could barely see. I was afraid of falling, getting soaked, and having the day become harder for everyone. I didn’t know exactly what the current or riverbed would be like. I had to take it slowly, focus on the next step, and lean on my guide for support. I stayed in the water for five hours, and I didn’t fall.

 

 

That experience reminded me that fear looks different for everyone. For a new amputee, it might be the fear of falling, phantom pain, or taking those first steps around the house. For someone else, it may be trying an activity they miss or facing a new challenge. Your fear doesn’t have to look big to matter. If it’s holding you back from something important to you, it deserves your attention.

In this episode, I share a few ways I work through fear: name the shadow, ask what I’m actually afraid of, and decide whether the goal is worth moving toward. Then I choose a manageable next step and accept support when I need it. Asking for help doesn’t take away from what you accomplish. Sometimes support is what helps you try something for the first time.

We don’t have to do everything at once. We can take one step, learn from it, and keep going. And when we look back, we may realize those small steps carried us farther than we thought possible.

 

 

What fear or “shadow” are you facing right now?

Name it, choose one small next step, and get after it this week!

Also, please share your Halloween costume with me in the comments. I’d love to see how you have overcome and made lemonade from lemons!

Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to keep showing up.

Have a spooky but safe Halloween,

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

The Secret To My Success

The Secret To My Success

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:10 — 40.4MB)

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Creating Positive Momentum Through Challenges

 

This week let’s challenge ourselves!

Let’s face the mountain head on and not veer out of fear.

It’s time to unleash the warrior within you, are you ready??

Well it doesn’t matter, now is the time! If you wait until you are “ready” then the time will never come.

 

SO how did I start my amputee journey, you ask? I was ready! I was nervous, of course, but when I came to grips with it I was ready to soar. I began to dream and wonder what I could accomplish, what hurdles I would overcome, what new things I would learn. To say that I was excited about the possibilities, would be an understatement.

 

I began by wearing my leg out of the prosthetist office and using it all day every day for a week…WITHOUT PT! Needless to say, I was so bruised on my femur bone!

I mean, I was walking, and so proud of myself, but I needed help tweaking my form and gait.

After I took some PT I began a new journey with new dreams. I was going to reinvent myself, whatever it took!

 

I had about 12 goals set for myself, even before my amputation, about what I would accomplish as an amputee.

Obviously I wanted to walk as naturally as possible, and as soon as possible, but there is no shortcut or magic potion to make that happen. It takes grit, determination and consistency.  But how do you maintain consistency, especially with something that is scary, uncertain, and hard to do?

What I did was register for virtual races! Not only did I have set miles but I also had the metaphorical carrot dangling in front of me…the cool looking medals!!

My very 1st race as an amputee! This started it all and how I got use to my prosthetic leg.

For me, that’s all it took! I registered for my first 150 mile race in May, a month after getting my prosthetic leg. I made a promise to myself that all of my steps in my leg would count toward my miles, then I introduced myself to the large Facebook group and told them of my goals. Not only did writing it down for all to see make me accountable for my goal, it also gave me a HUGE cheering squad with this new group of friends!

And this is where it all began! I attribute my success of learning to walk again to my virtual races.

 

These were the ones I did the first 1 1/2 after becoming an amputee! They all have special meaning,
depending on what I was trying to accomplish, how I felt or what I was going through.

 

 

It’s your turn now, and I’m going to help you and be there by your side as we do this together!

Let’s crush a goal before this year ends.

No better time than the present to start, and the best time of year to make time for yourself.

The link below is to register for a 100 mile virtual race.

I have already registered and I want you on my team!

I will create a private Facebook group too, just for those who join this race with me.

Can’t run? No problem-WALK!

Can’t walk? Bike, recumbent, stationary or  traditional.

Can’t do those things? SWIM, use a hand bike, exercise with stretch bands, dumbbells or body weight!

 

The sky’s the limit on how you go about logging your miles.

3 miles of biking= 1 mile of running/walking

exercising moderately 30 min=1 mile of running/walking

etc, etc, etc

 

You see where I’m coming from? We can all do something to help us feel better and get on track. So no matter where you are, don’t think for one second that you can’t do something in some way, shape, or form!

It is time to unleash your inner warrior! Fight for the life you want! Start today and let me walk alongside you and your journey! After all, we all need someone who gets us where we are at.

 

I’m here for you so won’t you join me on this virtual race?

Join me and let’s “sleigh” this holiday season! No excuses, no surrender!!!

 

Click HERE to register for the Fierce and On Fire Challenge

 

Oh, and did I mention that not only are you helping yourself by joining this challenge, you will also be supporting the Erin Regan Animal Sanctuary non profit 40 acre farm. A portion of your registration in this challenge goes to support this cause. This non profit is dedicated to saving the lives of farm and companion animals from abuse, euthanasia, and homelessness.

It’s a win-win in my book! Join me today! Click the link above!!

As always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

 

 

 

 

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