Category Archives: Personal Development

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Getting Out the Door – Chapter 20

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In November, 2012,  I was at the end of my patience. On the morning of November 22, Thanksgiving Day, I tipped the scales at 250.5 lbs. Nobody ever held me down and forced food on me…I had done this to myself. I knew I had to deal with my eating issues. I didn’t drink or […]

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Falling Apart – Chapter 18

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Not all injuries are physical. After the motorcycle accident, it took a long time for me to feel normal or safe again. Even after that, there were some situations that brought back memories of the accident and its aftermath in vivid detail. I was never a good passenger in a car. I always felt safer […]

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Climbing and Crashing – Chapter 17

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As I increased my distance, I started enjoying riding with other people. It was now four years post-accident, and I felt pretty confident on my bike. I upgraded from a hybrid bike to a “real” carbon fiber road bike, and would occasionally ride my bike 21 miles to the office a couple days a week. […]

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As Easy as Riding a Bike – Chapter 16

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As I reached the 1-year mark post-accident, I continued physical therapy, but I had to see the doctor less and less. At the ‘anniversary’ of surgery, Dr. Childs said – “You’ve made great progress, so I think we’re done.” After major surgery, rehabilitation, and a year of healing and hard work, he released me from […]

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Mailbox to a Mile – Chapter 14

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When I got home from the hospital, I had only been walking for a short distance – only 10-20 feet at a time. Dr. Childs told me that walking was one of the best ways to build up my strength, so that’s what I did. On the first day home, I decided to walk….all the […]

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Back Home Again – Chapter 13

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After two months in the rehab hospital, I was discharged and sent home. I wasn’t doing great, but I could stand, sit, and walk a few steps around the house. I got used to the routine of being upright, but also had a number of limitations. I could walk across a room, but I would […]

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Peace Out – Chapter 12

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Peace had been there since my first day at the rehab hospital. I was getting close to three months since the accident, and I talked with Peace more than anyone else, including my family and visitors. Since she saw me every day, she got to see my mood change, but she didn’t see all the […]

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Hulking Out – Chapter 11

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From the day of my accident, and throughout my time in the hospital, I went through a range of emotions. Some days, when I wasn’t making progress, I felt depressed. Other days, I felt excitement when I reached a new level in PT. Some days I was bored, and other days just flew by. The […]

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First Steps – Chapter 10

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Every day, BJ, my physical therapist would push me a bit further. She’d assess how I was doing, and adjust her approach depending on what it took to get me moving in the right direction. Some days, she’d start off easy, but others, she’d launch into me like a female R. Lee. Ermey, the drill […]