It’s time to Hit Play again

This post was sponsored by DePuy Synthes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, however all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

My well worn crutch

JULY 28, 1998

That is the day it happened. I never wanted to tell this story, because I didn’t want it to define who I was. But, it was the day that began a 7-year journey of surgeries, physical therapy, shoe lifts, braces, crutches and the possibility of never walking again. I can’t talk about it, I hate reliving it. I’d rather focus on the things that I CAN do rather than those that I can’t. One day I’ll take you through my journey…but today I’ll just tell you that I was walking down a flight of metal stairs, Frappuccino in hand, on my way from my territory in Rhode Island to the regional office in Boston when I lost 3 ligaments in my right knee…EVERY ONE OF THEM – my MCL, LCL and ACL all let go….in mid-climb. One of them got caught in the motion of the knee and the knee got stuck in a 90 degree angle. It remained that way for a VERY long time. Seven surgeries, over 1,000 physical therapy visits, and countless visits for “ANOTHER OPINION” that would give me hope.

My “miracle”

I should say – my hard work paid off. I you’ve met me you know that I am not in a wheelchair, nor do I wear a brace or a shoe with a lift. I do occasionally use crutches. I worked long and hard to be able to walk again, and I thought for certain that I could prove the doctors who told me “one day” you’ll need a knee and hip replacement and will be facing major back pain. But, I NEVER gave up.

Check out the “Physician Locator” at the end of this video

18 years later

It was a good run for me. With my dance therapy background (college) I was able to learn to use alternative muscles, etc., but I knew that being off-center would come back to get me. At 62 it has. I’ve had to cancel trips because of the pain, I’ve had to “sit out” from activities that I love.