Lessons Learned

One thing I have learned is to take things for what they are. After I landed, the first thing I did was make sure I had not lost control of my legs. That was the most important thing to me. I was prepared for the idea of it, though hoping for it to not be the case. It turned out I had full functionality.

But I certainly did not come out unscathed. I have endured lots of pain, physical and emotional. I have missed many opportunities to be out doing those things I love. I have lost money to medical expenses, and will yet lose more. I don't curse the heavens. I don't blame fate. I take it as it is.

One big reason I don't get upset about this cruel twist of fates is that it won't change a thing. How could throwing a tantrum and yelling at the clouds change anything that has happened? It can't. Likewise, taking responsibility won't change a thing. That, however, has the luxury of giving me insights for the future. Will I go climbing on rocks like that again? Maybe. Probably not. If I do, will I look at it first, make sure there is a reasonable line of descent? Absolutely. Will I, upon learning something new about the situation, reanalyze and if things are too much, back down? Most certainly. Would I have any of this insight if I didn't take the blame for the original incident?

The second reason I'm not cursing the heavens is that It could have ended much, much worse. There are so many innumerable ways things could be worse. If I had hit my head, I could have had major trauma. Brain damage or death could have been the result. If I had hit harder in the same place, I could have been paralyzed from that point down. I wouldn't be able to walk, and I would have lost control of my bowels and bladder, among other important things. Those two ways are obvious to anyone. Less obvious is this one: The bottom three vertebra in the thoracic spine were fractured. If Just one lower had been fracutred, L1 in the lumbar spine, things would be worse. The lumbar spine is what bends when you bend over. If you have a fractured vertebra there, the injury would be much more painful, and less prone to heal.

I do consider myself blessed. So I will go forward with courage and determination, and take what comes knowing that I am alive. I can walk. My pain is limited. I am blessed.