Self-Care and Paralysis
By: Valerie Piro
Prior to sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI), I would punish my body on a regular basis. As a teenager at a competitive high school, I would deprive my body of sleep if it meant finishing all my homework on time, push my body through track practices if it meant I would set a personal best, and subsist for much of the day on caffeine and protein bars if it meant having more time to overachieve. Meeting deadlines and appearing to have it together meant more than my actual well being.
I finally broke down during my sophomore year, after one too many stressful days in a row. I met with my guidance counselor and, without warning to either of us, I began to sob and blurted out that I hated myself. She saw a highly organized and driven individual with a competitive GPA; I saw someone who needed to try harder.
One day, on my way to an out-of-state track meet I sustained a SCI in a car accident. My priorities suddenly changed. I remember being in the ICU at Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital and placing my hand on my stomach for the first time post-injury. I could feel the skin of my stomach beneath my hand, but it didn’t register that I was touching my own body. So this is what paralysis is, I thought.
Over the past eleven years, my body and I have been reconnecting. In college, I tried to push myself the way I did in high school. I would stay up late to work on a project and squeeze in three hours of sleep, but then my body would respond in the morning by making me feel ill until I went back to bed. I would work while hungry or thirsty, and then begin to feel lightheaded and dizzy as my blood pressure plummeted. I would overwhelm myself with work and find myself at University Health Services a day later with stomach pains and nausea. It became clear that if I did not take care of myself, I would be incapable of accomplishing anything.
Although still a work-in-progress, my body and I do our best to communicate and compromise. When I feel tired at night, I stop working and go to bed. I do not power through hunger and thirst unless absolutely necessary. A few years ago even, I began to incorporate skincare and makeup into my daily routines. I find calm in blending my eyeshadow and dabbing on concealer. Some nights, I treat myself to a face mask, just because. I sometimes feel as relaxed as I look.
Now in graduate school, where the amount of work becomes essentially a full-time job, it can be tempting to work incessantly and think of health as an afterthought. I do not have that luxury. My health comes first. The work will always be there. And sure, sometimes I imagine how much more I could get done if I was able-bodied, but then I picture the high school sophomore who hated herself despite all of her capabilities. Being in a position where I have to listen to my body has made me appreciate all that it can accomplish, which is still quite a lot. Of course there are days when I am frustrated and resentful of my injury, but the past cannot be changed. How I treat myself, however, can. And my body is grateful for it.
Comments
Are you looking for a reliable Hacking Service?
ETHICALHACKERS renders the best hacking service on the web. They are the most professional team of hackers in the dark web.
ETHICALHACKERS offers tons of services:
1. Remote phone hack
2. Crypto Recovery
3. Upgrade gpa
4. School Grades Change
5. Increase credit score
6. Database hack
7. Facebook, Whatsapp hack
8. Remote phone Hack .
9. Remove criminal records.
They also sell high grade techs and hacking chips and gadgets if you are interested in Spying on anyone. They sell software, programs, apps for hacking services.
Interested parties should contact : ETHICALHACKERS009 @ GMAIL COM OR TELEGRAM @ ETHICALHACKERS23 WHATSAPP +14106350697
Are you looking for a reliable Hacking Service?
ETHICALHACKERS renders the best hacking service on the web. They are the most professional team of hackers in the dark web.
ETHICALHACKERS offers tons of services:
1. Remote phone hack
2. Crypto Recovery
3. Upgrade gpa
4. School Grades Change
5. Increase credit score
6. Database hack
7. Facebook, Whatsapp hack
8. Remote phone Hack .
9. Remove criminal records.
They also sell high grade techs and hacking chips and gadgets if you are interested in Spying on anyone. They sell software, programs, apps for hacking services.
Interested parties should contact : ETHICALHACKERS009 @ GMAIL COM OR TELEGRAM @ ETHICALHACKERS23 WHATSAPP +14106350697
When I first deposited funds into Binary FX, the process was seamless, and they were quick to accept my money without hesitation. However, everything changed when I attempted to withdraw my funds. What initially appeared to be a straightforward process turned into a nightmare. Withdrawal requests were repeatedly delayed or outright ignored. Despite countless attempts to contact their customer support team, I was met with vague replies or no assistance at all. It felt like they had disappeared, leaving me stranded and frustrated. Losing $26,000 wasn’t just a financial blow, it was emotionally devastating. I had placed my trust in this platform, recommended by a friend since high school, believing it was a sound investment. Instead, I found myself entangled in a seemingly impossible situation. I tried every avenue of emails, calls, and relentless follow-ups—but each attempt only underscored the extent of the problem. It became evident that this company had no intention of fulfilling its promises. At my lowest point, a relative suggested I reach out to Digital resolution services. Initially, I was skeptical, uncertain if recovery was even possible after such an ordeal. Still, I decided to give it a chance, and that choice marked a turning point. The team at Digital resolution services was nothing short of remarkable. Their expertise, professionalism, and dedication stood out immediately. They guided me through the intricate process of reclaiming my funds, offering strategic advice and practical solutions I hadn’t considered before. Throughout the journey, they kept me informed and reassured, ensuring I never felt alone in the fight. Thanks to their relentless efforts, I successfully recovered my $26,000. The relief was immense, and I am profoundly grateful for their support. Beyond recovering my money, they restored my confidence that even the most challenging situations can be resolved with the right help. I cannot thank Digital resolution services enough for their invaluable assistance and for turning a hopeless situation into a success story.
You can reach out to them if you ever find yourself in a situation like that, I guarantee you they will help.
Contact Digital Resolution Services:
Website: digitalresolutionservices.com
Email: digitalresolutionservices@myself.com
WhatsApp: +1 (361) 260-8628
Sincerely,
Cliff Mondy