Today I am grateful for spending Sunday afternoon with a lovely group of people. Friends organised a get together for the group that was involved in the accident 6 weeks ago on Doorknock Terrace where five cyclists got injured.
It was lovely to catch up with all but one of them. I felt quite overwhelmed to be able to talk to them and give them a hug. To the cyclist who wasn’t able to make the afternoon – I am sending a virtual hug.
It got me thinking about the advice I would like to share with them from the experience I have had following my nasty cycling accident.
My thoughts are this
- Be gentle on yourself.
- Be gentle on your partner. That morning has effected them terribly too.
- If you or your partner are struggling with what has happened or anger,anxiety or sadness are becoming unmanageable get some counselling. On second thoughts go and get some counselling anyway. Encourage your partner to do the same.
- Don’t be a hero – accept help when it is offered.
- Practice being grateful. Start with the big thing – you are all alive . Then start appreciating the little things eg good coffee, yummy food, good music. It is helpful to write it down. If you can’t write it down there are plenty of apps you can use to record things like that. One I have used is Day One.
- Lower your expectations. No really – lower your expectations.
- Think small. Little changes in the progression of recovery are important.
- Your world has shrunk. You can’t do the things you want to do at the moment. Try and get enjoyment from the little things like reading a book or watching a movie. Allow yourself permission to do those activities too.
- Eat nutritious food and try and get enough sleep. Both are extremely important in the recovery process.
- Surround yourself with a good team. Make sure you have respect and confidence in the people who are looking after you. Don’t be afraid to change those people if you are not happy with what they are offering.
- Put goals on hold for the moment. There is plenty of time in the future to have goals. Focus at the moment on the day to day and making small changes each day.
Many people said to me two years ago that it would take me at least two years to get over my accident. I didn’t believe them. I thought once my surgical incisions had healed I would be back to how I was before the accident. I have learnt that we are never the same from one day to the next. I will never be the same person as I was two years ago. I am not the same person from one day to the next but I love life and I am very happy .
I wish all those friends who have been injured and have a period of recovery ahead a speedy return to health and I hope you can focus on positive aspects of your recovery and not become overwhelmed with the negative. You won’t be the same person as before the accident but it is possible to enjoy life even though you may not be on your bike.
Until next time
