When I was 17 I had a near fatal accident in my home state, Nigeria. That was the start of 11 long years of struggling with dependency, painful and agonizing surgeries, long hospital stays, inconvenient casts, metal plates and heavy metal rings, heart ache, hurt, anger, and helplessness. I had 4 long surgeries in 11 yrs all in an attempt to get the use of my leg back.
I have walked all my adult life with either a pair of crutches, a cane or a walker, but never on my own. I hated to feel the way I did, and more than anything else in life, I wanted to be my own person again. During those years, I found that love was harder to give, care was a tough thing to do for someone, sacrifices meant more than the word implied and patience and courage was all that anyone needed to overcome anything in life.
I was lucky though, I had the love and support of my family and friends, it really was all that I needed. The resilience of the human spirit was my mantra and I did all I needed to do not minding that my leg was constantly hurting for 11 years. I graduated from university with a degree in geology, I married my college sweetheart in a beautiful church ceremony, and we now have a lovely son named Donnell (meaning courage or bravery). I couldn't want for more. I am loved and more importantly I love me.
I'm at the end of my treatment now, the fifth surgery in eleven years. I'm hoping to walk with my two legs again. Courage, persistence, patience, strength and living my dreams did it for me. I hope that I can pass on as much love and support as I have received. I also hope to inspire in people the urge to pass on values like this and more. It can only make our generation better.
Submitted by Anonymous
We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.
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