This is a comment I made when I was in the bike shop today – I was talking about having to really learn how to walk again. The guy behind the counter made a comment that I have been thinking about ever since.
Adults are so closed, aren’t they?
Rob – Wensleys Cycles
Why is this? Babies fall, get up, try things without fear, fail, try again and again. Why do we lose this valuable skill and outlook on life when we become adults?
When is the last time you did something that scared you? no really scared you?
As an amputee you have to do this all the time. Every day, multiple times a day. I was terrified the first time I looked at my left leg after the amputation. What will it look like? How will I feel? Will I be scared to touch it? I was scared the first time I stood up without a left leg, the first time I stood on a prosthetic, the first time I walked without crutches.
I was scared when I went back to my home town. What will people think? Will they disown me? Will it bother them? Will they be rude to me? Will they accept me?
This has been my feeling each and every time I do something again for the first time.
The first time I swam, sat on a bike, walked on a slope, walked up steps, had a shower, drove a car… my list could go on and on for ages.
Have you ever thought about how you would feel if suddenly everyday things you have always taken for granted suddenly scare you now because you have to learn them over again from scratch?
Well, despite the fact that I’m Uber determined to figure out how to ride a bike again, the thought of going out for a ride for the very first time with my prosthetic bike leg on terrifies the crap out of me.
Fear of failure? Fear of the unknown? Both of those and more. Fear of letting myself down, not being able to do it… it’s all just a mountain of fears.
Do I have any choice? Well, yes I do, I could sit at home and let it get the better of me. But I won’t.
Now take a look at something you have been putting off, that you ugly be afraid of, afraid you can’t do, afraid you might fail at.
Get those big girl/guy panties on and get that thing done today. Do it for YOURSELF.
I am sure going to. You watch me.
Melanie Magowan 