My Handy Anniversary

antoinette · Sep 24, 2010

Celebrate with me today, it's my Handy Anniversary 24/9/2002 - 24/9/2010

8 years ago I had an ice-skating accident, those few seconds change my life forever.
Had to wear a cast for 3 months, from being right handed, became left handed immediately.
Had to drive a car with only one hand.

It's been a roller coaster ride, good days and bad days.
Wore over 24 different hand braces. Had physiotherapy every day for a full year.
Operated 5 times to rectify, without any success.

I PRACTICED WHAT WE PREACH TO OUR BIRDS

TIME - TO TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME, TIME HEALS
PATIENCE - TO TAKE THINGS SLOWLY, GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE
THAT WAIT
PERSEVERANCE - MADE A COMMITMENT TO WORK HARD EACH AND
EVERY DAY

GUESS WHAT 2 MIRACLES OCCURRED THIS WEEK

I AM NOW ABLE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WITH TWO HANDS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR
AND
I BEGAN TO WRITE USING MY RIGHT HAND AGAIN AND WITH A BONUS
I WENT STRAIGHT BACK INTO CALLIGRAPHY

I could not have done it without my two sons
Sean & Steven
You guys have been my rock, still to this very day

I LOVE YOU GUYS

Thanks to Mishka for her part in all this.
Since Mishka arrived almost 3 years ago, she refused to be picked up with my left hand, leaving me no choice but to use my right hand. I know this has contributed towards my hand becoming active again.

LOVE YOU MISHKA JADE

Sorry if I have blabbed away, but it is a big moment in my life

Ecclipse · Sep 24, 2010

Awesome Ant....Im so chuffed for you!!!!! Your a good mom to your sons and they return your love by their love and support

I have no doubt that Mishka knew how she could help

Mwah....you deserve only the best in life!!! Enjoy the day and what patience and determination can bring!!! Your an example to us all

Von1983 · Sep 24, 2010

Well done Ant!

What an acheivement!

I am going to toast you with a lovely glass of ribena tonight! (I never got into the wine thing, sorry!)

WOOHOO! xx <3

antoinette · Sep 24, 2010

Ecclipse said:
Awesome Ant....Im so chuffed for you!!!!! Your a good mom to your sons and they return your love by their love and support I have no doubt that Mishka knew how she could help

Mwah....you deserve only the best in life!!! Enjoy the day and what patience and determination can bring!!! Your an example to us all

Sean and Steven are an inspiration to me, during the 8 years they kept my spirits up, when I was really down, they kept reminding me each day

YOU CAN DO IT MOM

AND I DID IT

Spiritbird · Sep 24, 2010

So happy for you. It is darn hard work to overcome an injury like this one. Huggies and well deserved my friend

antoinette · Sep 24, 2010

Von1983 said:
Well done Ant!

What an acheivement!

I am going to toast you with a lovely glass of ribena tonight! (I never got into the wine thing, sorry!)

WOOHOO! xx <3

VON sounds fine to me ANT

Beilana · Sep 24, 2010

Congrats Ant!!!!!

Another bonus----You are now ambidextrous!

Ratzy · Sep 24, 2010

Well done!!! I'm so happy for you! It couldn't of been easy to go through all those ops that didn't even work!!! *hugs*

apatrimo94 · Sep 24, 2010

Ant, you truly are inspirational!!! I hope to one day be like you!!!!

JawzX · Sep 24, 2010

I shattered my left fore-arm and wrist about 5 yeas ago in a motorcycle accident. The x-rays were tuely spectacular, both the carnage of the before -which looked like someone had taken a handful of gravel and placed on the plate instead of my bones- and the after -where the tiny titanium pins, screws and plates holding it all together looked like someone had spilled a box of various small metal parts into my arm (it was a 7-hour surgery!)- and that was awfull enough! I'm right handed! Fortunately my surgeon did a spectacular job and I have about 95% range of motion and near normal strength after only 8 months of physical therapy...

Kudos and congratulations on finally healing and celebrating your anniversary in good spirits!

bogo1 · Sep 24, 2010

Very cool girl but I must admit I am not surprised that you are pulling off a win. You are like a diamond something beautiful that is created by pressure and time. You are one stubborn bird...in a good way!

wildheart · Sep 25, 2010

So what are you saying here Ant?

Does this mean you are not 100% Freddie anymore?

Who am I going to make fun of now?

Congrats my friend, wow, driving with both hands and writing! That is really - REALLY awesome. I am proud of your endurance and proud of you for bringing up model children. I'll have a drink on you!

antoinette · Sep 25, 2010

Spiritbird said:
So happy for you. It is darn hard work to overcome an injury like this one. Huggies and well deserved my friend

Thanks Angel you so sweet

antoinette · Sep 25, 2010

Beilana said:
Congrats Ant!!!!! Another bonus----You are now ambidextrous!

LoL earlier this morning while writing, I gave each had a turn

Was such fun

antoinette · Sep 25, 2010

wildheart said:
So what are you saying here Ant? Does this mean you are not 100% Freddie anymore?

Who am I going to make fun of now?

Congrats my friend, wow, driving with both hands and writing! That is really - REALLY awesome. I am proud of your endurance and proud of you for bringing up model children. I'll have a drink on you!

Freddie will always be around

I will always have a "bird brain"

Thanks for the kinds words, mean the world to me

antoinette · Sep 25, 2010

bogo1 said:
Very cool girl but I must admit I am not surprised that you are pulling off a win. You are like a diamond something beautiful that is created by pressure and time. You are one stubborn bird...in a good way!

I LIKE !!!!!!!!!!!

A stubborn bird in a good way

antoinette · Sep 25, 2010

Ratzy said:
Well done!!! I'm so happy for you! It couldn't of been easy to go through all those ops that didn't even work!!! *hugs*

I reckon in the long run they did work, look at my recent achievements

antoinette · Sep 24, 2013

Today is my Handy

24/9/2002 - 24/9 2013

It is 11 years since that awful ice-skating accident, where my Alnar nerve was completely damaged. Had over 280 stitches trying to repair the Ulnar nerve.

It's been a roller coaster ride, good days and bad days.
Wore over 24 different hand braces.
Had physiotherapy every day for a full year.
Operated 5 times to rectify, without any success.
Different Doctor's said I would not be able to use my hand due to the severe damage of the Ulnar nerve.

I decided to -

TIME - TO TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME, TIME HEALS
PATIENCE - TO TAKE THINGS SLOWLY, GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE THAT WAIT
PERSEVERANCE - MADE A COMMITMENT TO WORK HARD EACH AND
EVERY DAY

My hand 11 years ago

My hand today

Betrisher · Sep 24, 2013

Wow! You've sure been through the mill, Ant! I don't know if I'd have the courage to stay as focussed and hopeful as you have. Congratulations on a spectacular recovery! I'm glad you celebrate it each year - it never hurts to remind ourselves where we've come from and how hard the journey was. Good on you!

antoinette · Sep 24, 2013

Betrisher said:
Wow! You've sure been through the mill, Ant! I don't know if I'd have the courage to stay as focussed and hopeful as you have. Congratulations on a spectacular recovery! I'm glad you celebrate it each year - it never hurts to remind ourselves where we've come from and how hard the journey was. Good on you!

Thanks Trish
We all have things we have to deal with I guess that was one of mine.

I only began writing with my right hand again last year and can now finally hold the steering wheel of the car with both hands.

It will never heal, have some terrible days, but at least I get by and my hand almost looks normal.

:grey:

My Handy Anniversary

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Happy "Heritage Day" in South Africa

Rosie and I are off to the beach :) :)

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