Proper Tactics

Overcoming physical trauma is a tough job. Those of us who are fortunate enough to recieve medical attention are given great help toward survival and recovery. Those of us fortunate enough to take part in physical and/or occupational rehabilitation are doubly blessed. Unfortunately, these resources don't often last forever. Such was the case with my recovery from the motorcycle accident. I was basically expelled from the hospital when they realized that I didn't have a lot of financial resources to cover the medical care. I then received rehabilitation help for a couple of months before the insurance coverage ran out. What was left of me was someone who had made a good deal of progress in my recovery, but not nearly in a position to function normally or freely. I couldn't walk well yet, and my overall mobility and physical function was very much limited. 

One of the things that I learned when I wound up alone at home for the bulk of each workday was that I had to take charge of my recovery through proper activity. I would work on flexibility, coordination, strength, and endurance all day. It was a very long recovery process, but the progress could be measured weekly. I worked very hard to get my body to move past the various injuries, and every day was a painful challenge. The greater the conquest, the sweeter the victory...right?

However, the greater lesson was this; there is an enormous difference between fear and respect. Fear of your body and your injuries will hinder any progress and consequent hope of recovery. It will cause you to give up on any motivation and hope. It will cause you to say, "I can't", and when you are convinced that you can't, you won't. On the other hand, respect for your body and injuries will always keep you safe from carelessness. It will also cause you to desire the proper function of your body and keep you working toward that goal. Respect will allow you to make the proper choices toward basic safety and the progress that comes with cautious effort. Never give in to fear, and never lose sight of respect.