One Leg Left To Stand On...

This year has been one that has had a profound impact on all of our lives. For all of us, the loss(es) we have suffered come with costs dear to our souls - loved ones, friends, neighbours, jobs, social events, church services, dining out, hugs...and faces free of masks. The list seems to grow endless - and too personal. For me, my foundation and reality was shaken to it's core health-wise in March, when a bone infection, cost me my right leg - just below the knee. Since then, healing, re-training, physio therapy...and the ultimate goal of walking again have been challenging and the results encouraging, but the costs significant. Prosthetic legs carry a price tag of over $10,000 and a lightweight and transportable wheelchair runs $15,000. All of this combined with the reality of reduced income due to hospitalization, rehabilitation, medical leave….and you’re left with a prescription for S-T-R-E-S-S. Fortunately, group medical benefits do help, but may only to cover a portion of these expenses. The remaining out-of-pocket portion that is left to pay remains a fuzzy estimate at best and an expected challenge. Life happens - usually without our approval or objection and it has a unique way of teaching us lessons we still need to learn. Through all of this, my most significant obstacle to personal growth has been realizing when life's challenges can be managed individually and when they can't. Even harder still, is admitting one's shortcoming and reaching out to friends and loved ones to ask for the help needed. And so, I am reaching out to humbly ask for any help you can provide to lessen the financial burden and ease the stress. Though it seems woefully inadequate, I offer my deepest, heart-felt thanks to you for your consideration and anything you can do to assist. With your help, I can step into tomorrow, one foot in front of the other...one step at a time.