My road came to an unexpected halt on November 9, 2010.

That morning, I was bicycling to work when a garbage truck turned across a city bike lane. I was in that bike lane.

A team of trauma surgeons saved my life, but they had to amputate my left leg. My body and life were forever changed.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

As I learned to walk again, I measured my recovery in steps and then miles. Over time that journey grew into something more -- a way of being in the world, wherever I go.

I am a person of ability and disability. I travel in the space between. These are my postcards.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Happy Walking Day 2016!

Mile Marker 3660(?):

 It's been 5 YEARS since I took my first steps on a prosthesis!

On February 11, 2011, Prosthetist Tim propped me up between the parallel bars and uttered those words I'll never forget... Big step with the right.  Small step with the left.

I was off!

The road hasn't always been smooth, but I'm grateful every day to be moving.

Today, 5 years later, I'm away at a state educational conference in Hershey, PA.  It's an accomplishment -- traveling here on my own -- but it also means that I'm SITTING most of the day.

By 5 p.m., I'm itching to celebrate.  Just in time for a brilliant sunset, I escape outside TO WALK.

One mile.  24 degrees.  In the parking lot of the convention center.  (There are no sidewalks in sight!)

It's too cold to check my Fitbit, and my face nearly freezes off, but I'm determined to capture the day.  And to take you -- my friends, family, blog followers, support team, and pit crew -- along with me!

Here's what I come up with...


I'll never be a "vlogger," but I do have fun :)

Happy Walking Day!
Thanks for 5 years and so much more!

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9 comments:

  1. Mom LevFebruary 11, 2016 at 10:43 PM

    Thank YOU... for sharing your journey (even when the posts make me cry), for making it look easy and fun (even when it's hard and painful), for finding an almost-never-ending supply of courage, belief and determination (even in the face of too many set-backs to count), and for demonstrating kindness, positivity, joy and encouragement to others (even when you are struggling yourself). It's been a privilege to walk beside you these past five years, and it will be my pleasure to walk along as you step-after-step into the future! Happy Walking Day:)

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2016 at 7:45 AM

    Can't possibly say it better than mom lev! think of that picture every feb 11 and remember watching the video that came with it seven times in a row...you've always been one of the best people to celebrate anything with! -- j

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  3. EllenFebruary 12, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    Meh

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  4. UnknownFebruary 12, 2016 at 10:55 AM

    Happy Walkiversary, Rebecca!

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  5. JohnFebruary 12, 2016 at 1:40 PM

    Keep on Truckin'. This is another great milestone.

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  6. Chris P-MFebruary 15, 2016 at 9:15 AM

    Yay! Here's hoping for continued good socket fit and minimal mechanical difficulties with Genie! :)

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  7. Chris P-MFebruary 15, 2016 at 9:15 AM

    Yay! Here's hoping for continued good socket fit and minimal mechanical difficulties with Genie! :)

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  8. Aunt GailFebruary 22, 2016 at 1:45 AM

    Love to see your smile and hear your cheerful voice on video.

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  9. SusanMarch 20, 2016 at 10:04 AM

    What your mom said! :-)
    (Clearly the writing ability runs in the family!)
    Love your public positivity and knowing the challenges you face every day yet always find the best in every situation. Cheers to you, Ricki, and have a pretzel on me! :-)

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