Jamie Osborne: Powerful Patient Wisdom
Submitted by Jamie Osborne
11/13/08
Learning to Walk Again.
Any parent with children will tell you that the hardest part of parenting is watching their child suffer. They would do anything to take that suffering away and assume it themselves. It's a strange juxtaposition in my family to find that situation reversed. My children often lament how much they dislike seeing their Dad suffer, and would do anything to take it away.
All of us who have or are dealing with accident, disease or illness suffer. I am a recent quadriplegic from a road cycling accident, and know about suffering. I experience it every day. Often times it is chronic pain and spasticity. Sometimes it is emotional pain, loss of control or feeling trapped. Ever present is trying to rediscover my identity and what will bring fulfillment and joy in my life.
How do I combat suffering? Call it stubborn, dogged determination but I decided early on to take a stand. One thing I didn't loose was my mind and ability to make choices. I chose to win. For me, winning doesn't mean that I'll ever be pain free, or not have residual deficits. Winning is not succumbing to the daily suffering, discomfort and limited movements. Winning is getting up every day, and choosing to make the most of what I can do. At night, it's going to bed and thanking myself for doing the day. Choose your terms. Choose to take a stand. Choose to win.
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