Accidents Support Group

I understand what you mean about wanting your old life back. It has been almost three years for me & somedays I would like to have that back too.

I can't, my life will never be the same. Chronic pain, never mind any physical limitations,doesn't allow it to be.

I have had a lot of trouble grieving for the life that is gone. Now I have to work on creating my new way of life. I dont' have the completely sorted out yet but I'm trying.

If you ever want to talk, please feel free to send me a message.

Thank you for your reply, creating a new life is not going to be easy but I'm on the right track...
I guess in the back of my head I'll always have this fear no matter what.. but like others- we just have to figure out the way to deal with it and move on...

you can have your life back..it will just not be your old life...that is what i believe...you must adapt to your new life and this is hard, but so doable. please don't give up hope and faith. you can do it and i know you can with the right mindset. i am a very firm believer in this, and experienced what you have, so i know it is doable. keep your chin up, let each day come in and out with baby steps taken. believe in yourself and what you can do, the things you can do may be altered or different than before, but you can find a new way to accomplish them. think of yourself as victorious not as a victim. this is your new life after an accident...embrace it with your open arms and learn slowly to live within it. and peace will come to you more naturally. god bless and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was also a pedestrian hit by a car. My accident happened 4 and 1/2 years ago. He was a drunk driver. I suffered many injuries, but the most severe were to my legs - both broken - both knees - torn rotator cuff in my shoulder - concussion - I also suffered bilateral pulmanary embolism's. I was in the hospital for about a month after spending 3 days in ICU. I have undergone 6 surgeries. I was bedridden, then wheelchair, then double leg braces with a walker, then quad cane, then cane, then no braces, and now walking on my own.

I still struggle with physical limitations. But the emotional has been just as devastating. Going through something like this does rob you of who you were. I used to be totally active in sports and now I can't. It took me a long time to be able to cross a street again. I think the hardest part emotionally is struggling with feelings of being 'broken' or not 'whole' , not good enough, and just not a full person.
I was severely depressed after the accident. Medication has helped. Counseling has helped. I strongly urge you to seek both.

But you are NOT alone. There are others out there - like me.

Your life may not be the same yet. It may not EVER be the same. But that doesn't mean that that it can't be GOOD. That it can't be different and fresh.
I am facing this too, and trying to reinvent myself as well.

But I know the PINING for the 'old days'. I used to have such a carefree and almost irresponsible giddiness with friends, and I feel that I have lost that. I am much more subdued. Much more serious. And generally, not as happy.

I don't know if I am helping or making it worse. Feel free to message me anytime though!

^^ You DO know exactly how I feel! Thank you for sharing your story with me, I appreciate it.
I am currently in a care of a psychologist, though I'm not sure it's really working- I'm trying to find a new one...
Thank you for all the good words, I'd love to keep in touch with you :)

I want my old life back too. I feel like I have post traumatic stress disorder, I just want to sleep, I dream that I am not in pain, then when I wake up, I get mad. I have been going through this for 12 years, the drunk teacher that hit me didnt have insurance and it was her 7th accident. The pain is so "loud" that it is hard to do anything but suffer, I hope that doesnt sound pathetic, but it is depressing. There are alot of emotions and fears even being in a car, I want to move to a small town where there arent as many cars. My heart goes out to all of you, there are so many different kinds of pain, I am sorry for you all. and me too.. I will have a good day soon, I hope

I know what all of you mean. It's like your old self is gone and all you want is for her to come back. However, I think the key is to realize that we are now transitioning into a new us! Our experiences have allowed us to grow as individuals and have given us the incredible opportunity to lead our lives in a different way. Not sure about all of you but I spend so much more time with my family and friends than before. It teaches you to slow down and smell the roses before their gone.

Hope this all doesn't sound too cliche' but it's the truth. We may never be able to get back to do the activities we once enjoyed, but our eyes have been opened to the world around us. Dealing with the emotional injuries is the start of moving on. I know it's rough now but I promise you someday you will wake up and you will find yourself in the middle of this new life you have created and you'll be able to see the joy it will bring you.

Hang in there...time heals all wounds.

I can't have my old life back. I have created a new one with what I've got. Chronic pain sucks. I should be dead or crippled though. If I look at it like that I'm good...

Wow i feel the same not looking foward to walking i am guessing thats when the pain will start...