conclusion

The Road To Normal
THE CONCLUSIION to
Out of the Woods
by Sue Alcorn

SUCCESS!! I had my left hip replaced on January 20, 2003 and on the 21st I walked my first 5 feet. The liberation that comes with doing for one's self is an unparalleled experience. Re-learning to walk, however, is a more involved process than I had anticipated. It's almost a mental exercise. We don't usually think about the steps involved or what muscles we must use to take a single breath. It's second nature, just like walking. But when one hasn't exercised those muscles or those brain waves for a long period of time, they 'forget' how to move. I have a physical therapist who comes to my home three times a week and an occupational therapist who comes twice a week. Day by day, my endurance is increasing, my muscles are growing in strength and walking isn't as much of a struggle as it was in early February. My gait is beginning to look normal.

Without going into all the gory surgical details, I'll just say, this last operation was fairly uneventful. Which is surprising considering my history. For a while after surgery I waited for the "other shoe to fall" but it hasn't and I've reconciled my expectations that it's not going to, either.

I've come out of this 11-year ordeal a stronger, more self-assured individual. My emotional and psychological changes have been surprisingly positive. I know of people who have been through similar circumstances who are bitter about their disability. For some reason, I never gave in to the negative energy that comes with this type of illness. I'm grateful. In fact, as ironic as this may read, I'm actually thankful for having gone through the pain and frustration. I was a fairly shallow individual who took many of life's gifts for granted. I'm not saying I now don a halo or be canonized. I'm saying it's made me a better person than I could have ever hoped for had I not become disabled.

Life is so fleeting, so fragile and we walk a thin line with death and disaster churning on either side. When I think about the adverse possibilities of how the events could have turned, I realize how blessed I am.

I will continue my advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. It's an important issue and close to my heart.

So, thank you to everyone who has written to me. Your words of support and encouragement went farther than you'll ever know. Be well,

Brightest blessings,

Sue Alcorn

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