Tuesday (7/3/2018):

I’m driving down to Indianapolis tomorrow (500 miles) in preparation for my reconstructive surgery on Friday (7/6).  The tibia on my amputated leg is pronounced (too long) and needs to be reduced, among other things.  I hate to be wheelchair bound for the rest of July and early August as I heal before getting a new prosthesis; but it has to happen for me to regain my comfort and mobility.

I’ve been an amputee for 4 ½ years now.  This will be my second reconstructive surgery following my amputation and the third summer that I’ve been severely limited in my activity levels.  And I had such high hopes for this year.  Oh, well!

After joining the “Amp Club” you find out that every person’s experience is different.  Some people seem to immediately find the “sweet spot.”  They have an amputation, get a prosthesis, and off they go without almost any other problems.   Others find themselves in a nearly constant loop of surgeries, procedures, fittings, in an endless attempt to regain their comfort and mobility. 

I fall somewhere in between.  I’ve had a few difficulties along the way, along with some very good times.  The beauty of social media for an amputee is that you find out that you aren’t alone.  You see the success stories that fuel your drive to continue forward, as well as finding out that there are others who are facing much greater battles than your own.

For me, being an amputee is a mind game.  Despite setbacks and failures, maintaining a positive outlook is a requirement to keep moving forward.  Every step is a trade-off.  Is this worth the time and energy it will require?  Will my investment pay dividends?  Am I wasting my time striving to achieve an unattainable goal?  The hard part is that you don’t know if it is unattainable until you’ve tried every possible solution.  Until then, every step along the way is just part of the road you travel. 

I’m beginning to understand that being an amputee isn’t about “arriving,” it’s about the journey itself. I may never arrive at the destination that I seek; I can’t wait until I get there to be happy. Instead I’ve got to remember to enjoy the journey itself. The breakdowns, detours, and road construction zones are never the most pleasant part of traveling; but they are a fact of life and you might as well learn to appreciate them as well.

Take a minute to read what John Maxwell wrote about success (and the happiness or satisfaction that comes with it).

www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/what-i-believe-about-success