My Life After a Train Accident: A Story of Resilience
My Life After a Train Accident
I Chose to Live: The Accident That Changed My Life and My Rehabilitation
Before the Accident
The second half of my fourth year of IBA and advanced medicine was marked by burnout, but we all knew the worst was yet to come: the examination period. I felt exhausted, as I did each new year. My days passed between the university and studying, with some time for family, friends, and my boyfriend, Richard. The heat in Santiago was intense, and I dreamed of the calendar, begging for the first of February and vacation. But everyone in school knew that a ceasefire was possible: the Inter-Medicine Games (JIM), annual sporting competitions where all the medical schools of Chile participated. This year, Temuco was the headquarters, hosted by the Catholic University of that city. I wanted to go. I had no time: we were expecting the dermatology exam results and would have no time to study. Nor was I willing to pay the travel costs. Finally, my best friend, Macarena, wouldn’t go to Temuco because she had requested permission to attend a congress in La Serena. About two days before the deadline for submitting the money and enrolling in the JIM, I had lunch with one of my colleagues, Juan Pablo, or Juampi for friends.
“Are you going?” he asked. He refused to accept my negative response and spent the rest of the afternoon giving me arguments for the trip. “How can you not go? Almost the entire school is going. I’ve gone to JIM other years, and believe me, it’s incredible. We’ll worry about the dermatology test later. When we’re all talking about how great it was, you’ll regret it. Think: if you stay, you’ll regret it.” “Yeah, yeah, well, I’m convinced,” I resigned and said, going with Juampi to pay for registration. I chose to participate in football—I like it and enjoy it—but they wouldn’t put me in the starting lineup; I went to the test with my practice, which coincided with full-contact sports. Because sports helped me relax and release the accumulated stress of the university. I had to accept being on the team and shouting from the bench. With luck, maybe I could kick the ball once in a while. That same day, Juampi convinced Maca to join us on the trip. Our insistence was so great that she finally agreed. I felt more excited and started to like the idea of leaving. Sadly, the next day, my friend approached me during a break to tell me that, after reconsidering, she had decided not to go. That discouraged me, but I couldn’t back out because I had already paid my dues.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002, was a heavier day than usual. Some guys carried their luggage because they had a class with the intention of leaving by train and had to carry their backpacks all day. I didn’t want to go through that, so, taking advantage of the fact that I lived far from the university, I decided to go home to prepare my bag after school. I had time left over, I thought naively. But that day, class ended very late, and I had to run home. When I got to my room, I opened the closet and started looking for things for the bag, with the typical feeling that I was forgetting half of the things. My mother came in to help. “Remember that it gets cold in the south, take a parka,” she said. I began to wonder if it was actually a good idea. Once there, installed in one of the cars, I hesitated again about my decision to go to JIM. I started to feel the strange feeling that I shouldn’t be there. What a fool! I repeated, why did I let myself be convinced? I got off at the Catholic University, where we were supposed to meet. I looked around without seeing any of my friends. “Where were they?” Had I arrived too late? Had they left without me? Suddenly, I heard laughter. “Daniela, finally!” called my good friend Jose Luis. Seeing him so happy and impassioned made me forget the pessimistic thoughts in my head, and together we continued the journey to the central station. We arrived when it was full of young medical students from all universities. I never thought JIM would be so popular. I was distracted looking around, and when I returned to reality, I was alone in an uproar. “Where were my friends?” I felt completely lost. “Dani, over here!” named Alejandro, one of my classmates. What luck, I was saved. I met up with the rest and together we began to search for the platform. A guard told us, noting a row of battered cars, that was the train to Temuco. Something inside me murmured again, not wanting to get on that old, shabby train, but my companions, struggling and laughing, climbed into the wagon. Maybe at that time, seeing the state of the train, everyone should have refused to get on, but what happens is that one, especially when young, believes invincible, sure that nothing bad can happen. I leaned on that idea and got on the train. A whistle blew, and a myriad of metallic screeches indicated that our journey was beginning. I don’t know what to do here, I said again, while looking through the dirty glass at the entanglement of rails slowly left behind. My friends, strangers to my concerns, laughed, played, and sang. I wanted to be infected by the joy of my colleagues, so I got up and walked toward a group of friends dancing and singing to a radio. “Dani, come on, you dance too!” Pancha shouted. I obeyed them. If there’s something I love, it’s dancing, but after two or three steps, I didn’t want to anymore. I unobtrusively left the group. What could I do now? I went to Jose Luis, Alejandro, and Juampi, who were talking and laughing. I approached them. “See, it was a good idea to come? Imagine how much I would have regretted it if you hadn’t convinced me,” Juampi said. I smiled; they were all such good friends. Why couldn’t I share their enthusiasm? I felt so out of place… It may sound unbelievable, but now, with distance, I believe that my body sensed something, trying to warn me. I returned to my seat, while my companions circled from one wagon to another, bringing news. Felipe gave me a piece of chocolate. No, despite being the only one who had eaten a salad for lunch, I felt a knot in my stomach. However, I ate it. I could never say no to a piece of chocolate. It was hard to swallow, but the sweet taste in my mouth gave me energy. Feeling better, I accepted Diego’s proposal to move around a little. The trip was long, and it would be good to exercise our legs. We began our journey to find out who would be our partners or rivals in the games. In each car we arrived, we asked: “What college are you from?” “The Mayor!” someone would answer, and we would talk to them. Then we went to the next car and asked the same question. “From Chile,” they answered, and so we moved on. We set out to go to the third car of our train. Diego went first, then I, and Marco closed the line. I finally began to think that I might have fun and that, after all, this trip was not a bad idea.
Afternoon, Wednesday, October 30, 2002, was particularly busy for Leonor Palomer, Daniela’s mother. She was focused on finding the perfect gift for a friend who was celebrating her fiftieth birthday with a big party outside Santiago. She stopped at home, hurried with her packages and purchases. She put on a jacket and prepared for dance class. Every Wednesday, she and her husband went to a Spanish dance school. They were learning merengue steps. The Garcias wouldn’t miss that fun way to exercise for the world. Before leaving, Leonor worried about closing all the curtains in the house and turning on the garden lights; it was getting dark. Why was it that, despite the seven people who lived in the house, she was the only one who always remembered these things? She went to the kitchen and opened the freezer: there was still enough chicken scallop for lunch. She only needed to prepare a little rice for lunch. All was smooth. She was still waiting for one of the older children to arrive to take care of his younger siblings. She couldn’t count on Daniela this time. Last time, she had decided to go to the sports Olympics in Temuco. She had seen her running from the university, desperate because she had to prepare her bag. “Oh, Mommy, I’m late, and I have no idea what to bring,” Daniela had said, anguished. “Remember that it gets cold in the south, take something warm,” Leonor had advised. Carrying a bag bigger than herself, Daniela got into the car and kissed her mother, who gave her last recommendations. “If you have any problems, call home!” She looked at her daughter. Fortunately, traveling by train was a safe environment. After class, Cristián García, Daniela’s father, said goodbye to his wife and her friends. That night, he was leaving with the ambulance, a volunteer action he performed with other physicians. They went through poor neighborhoods of the capital, helping those in need. Leonor, tired but happy, ate with her four children, took a shower, and went to bed, thinking that her only daughter should go and enjoy her trip with her teammates.
The Accident
Where am I? Am I dreaming? How dark! My view slowly became accustomed to the darkness. I tried to raise my head and noticed that I was lying on small stones. What is it? Better to go back to sleep, but everything looks so real! I started thinking about what had happened: yes, I was back on the sleepers of a railway line. Mixed memories began to return with a feeling of unreality. I was on a train with holasoymatrix, but how had I come here? I looked ahead but no longer saw any train. Why did it leave me? Why was I thrown out? My head was spinning. The hair on my eyes didn’t allow me to see well. I raised my left arm to clear my face, but there was no contact between my hand and my face. I repeated the movement, but the same thing happened. What? I looked at my arm, and I saw with horror… I didn’t have a hand! I immediately looked for my right hand, only to realize that I had also lost it. It can’t be! I must be dreaming; there could be another explanation. It must be a nightmare. But, what about my journey by train? Surely I fell asleep, but I was walking with Diego and Marco! Everything has been a dream, but so real! And if I’m dreaming, why don’t I wake up? I want to wake up! I want to wake up in my bed! But I was still there, lying on the stones. No, I wouldn’t wake up. I tried to understand the situation better. I still couldn’t understand how I had gotten there, but I knew I was in the middle of the rails. What if another train passed? I have to leave here! I tried to stand, only to fall again. I looked at my legs; I couldn’t believe it! My pants had been torn, stained with blood. My left leg was cut at the knee, and my right leg at the ankle. I had lost not only my hands but my legs! The anguish and horror were too much; I could only release it by shouting. “No, this is impossible, why me? I’m only 22! It can’t be true, I don’t want to be invalid, Mommy, Mommy! What did I do? I was only on a train!” I felt so alone; I think that’s when I really understood what solitude is. I wanted all the people to pass through my mind, but none of them were with me. Why didn’t anyone come and get me? I tried to relax; I had to do something, and I thought about my dad. He’s a doctor! He will help me recover if this is real. Medicine is so advanced now; I would get my legs and hands again! Clinging to that thought, with all my hope in him, I decided to fight for my life. I didn’t want to die; I still had much to do, goals to achieve, just to start living. The first thing is to leave here, I thought. I had very little strength, but I concentrated on getting out, trying to pass over a great, heavy metal beam, a rail. It hurt, I was very dizzy, and I hit the rail hard with my right thigh. But after making a great effort, I succeeded; now I was lying on both sides of the track, out of danger of being hit by another train. Now what do I do? I need to find someone to help me, and I had to hurry because the sickness was increasing, and I could lose consciousness. I looked around, trying to see through the darkness, and far away, I could see white and blue lights. A gas station! That is, there must be people! I started dragging myself there, but I never managed to walk a foot when I realized that my strength had left me. I’m never going to make it; it was too far. Maybe they can hear me. I used all my remaining energy to shout as hard as I could. “Help me! Someone, please help me! I need help!” I yelled until I had no voice or strength. Nor could I remain seated; I had to lie down. Tiredness and dizziness gradually caused my eyes to close. Suddenly, I heard a noise, “Someone would have heard my plea?” I turned in the direction of the sound, but I only saw a dog sniffing something. My view focused on it sniffing. I can’t believe it! It was my leg, the leg that I had cut off on the train! Please stop that. I didn’t dare move for fear that the dog would bite me. But it didn’t want anything; it was just taking my leg back to the place! “Please, puppy, go away, leave my leg.” After a few eternal minutes, the dog went away. The scare gave me new strength, and I resumed my cry for help. But I was only met with silence. I was so alone. My body couldn’t take it anymore; I couldn’t move. I slowly lost consciousness. My mind began to wander; the dream had defeated me. After all, maybe I was dreaming.
Chapter 3: The Rescue
A noise made me come back to myself for a second. Oh no, the dog is back! Terrified, I made out a shadow, but it was too big to be a dog. I focused better; it was a person! “Help me, help me, please!” I cried. “What happened to you?” the man approached. “I don’t know, I fell off the train, I’ve lost my hands and legs too, help me, please.” He looked startled; he had noticed my gravity. “Don’t move, I’ll get help,” and he walked away. For the first time, I breathed more easily. I went back to lying down, hoping that person could get help. But no one came, and I started losing hope. What will I do now? My strength left me. I even tried shouting again, but I had no voice left. I didn’t want to lose faith; I had to trust that this person would save me. Or maybe that had also been a dream? I began to wander again.
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As almost every night, Ricardo Morales went out to smoke a cigarette outside his home, located about twenty meters from where Daniela lay. What a hot day October 30 had been! His work, consisting of caring for and keeping everything in order at his employer’s farm, made him appreciate the evening. Inside his house, the children seemed to increase the temperature. “I’m going for a walk,” he told his master. The night, dark and quiet, served for relaxation and meditation on the different things he had experienced during the day. Suddenly, he heard an approaching train, but, used to the jolting, he only stepped back. It was a more boisterous train than usual, and from within, he heard laughter, music, and the voices of youth. For a few seconds, Ricardo connected with their lives. Where would they go? It was evident that they were having fun; he wished them a good trip. The train pulled away, and Ricardo returned to silence to refocus on his cigarette. A noise broke his reverie. He sharpened his hearing, but he heard nothing; surely he had imagined it. He was about to continue on his way when he heard something again, and now he could recognize a person’s voice. It came from the right, so he headed toward it. He saw a bulk in the middle of the rails. As he approached, he realized it was a person who was shouting and crying for help. Morales hesitated to move forward; it might be a setup. What if they wanted to rob him? He had heard stories like that. He thought about turning back, but something inside urged him to move forward. The individual had noticed him. “Help me, help me, please! I lost my hands and my legs, please help me,” said the person, who he now recognized as a young woman. What a terrible vision! Poor girl, she had probably been hit by the train that had just passed. How was she still alive? He had to do something for her, but he didn’t know what. He didn’t dare touch her. “Don’t move, I’m going for help,” Ricardo said. His mind worked a mile a minute. What to do? He looked around and saw the gas station; what luck! There, someone could help. He headed toward those white and blue lights. “Help! A young woman has had a serious accident on the train line!” he cried desperately, with the little air that remained after having run from where the girl was. Many people came, and someone called the emergency number. Soon, people from the SAMU arrived. While they were attending to the young woman, a group of people from the neighborhood gathered around. They wanted to hear what had happened. A little calmer, Ricardo also approached. He saw them put her on a stretcher and prepare to upload her into the ambulance. How old was she? Would she survive? She looked so seriously injured. And if she survived, what would her life be like? Ricardo shook those thoughts from his head while watching the ambulance drive away with the young woman he had found, the young woman whose life he had saved. Suddenly, I heard voices; a group of people was coming. Seeing their yellow suits, their badges, and the materials they carried, I realized it was a rescue team. Finally, they came for me! I felt the anguish slowly give way to relief, as I wasn’t going to die there. I knew that this rescue team was the SAMU (Department of Emergency Medical Care) from Rancagua, an institution that had been created less than a year ago. When they were called, they started moving and treated me quickly and effectively. I calmed down a bit with their words of encouragement. I was extremely serious; if they hadn’t acted that way, we wouldn’t be telling this story. “What happened to you?” an officer from SAMU asked me. Hysterical, I tried to explain that I didn’t know, but that I had lost my hands and my legs, that I was on a train, that I didn’t understand how I had gotten there, that they should help me, please. And I said a thousand things; I couldn’t stop talking. “Call me,” the same man said, “Don’t worry.” I obeyed and closed my eyes. I tried to calm down. “Is she dead?” another man asked. How could I be dead? I don’t want to die, I thought, and I opened my eyes desperately. I saw that there were two men beside me. I sighed with relief: I wasn’t dead. Besides the SAMU, a group of people started to gather around me. I remained still as the paramedics examined me and prepared to take me to the ambulance. Suddenly, someone shouted, “A train is coming!” Everyone started to move away from the place where the first rescue team had found me. They stayed by my side, took my head away from the track, and ordered me not to move. “Hurry, the train is coming!” they shouted. I saw the train approaching just where I had been at first, and I thanked God that I had thought to get out of the way. The ground began to shake; the noise was deafening. I understood then that the cars were passing by me. I tried to move as little as possible while the force of the train lifted me off the ground. I prayed for the train to finish passing. Eventually, the SAMU returned and began to attend to me. They gently put me on a stretcher and moved me to the ambulance. I had forgotten something very important! “My leg! We have to take it so they can replace it. Please, don’t leave it here,” I cried in despair. “Don’t worry, it’s being well taken care of,” someone said. I calmed down a bit. Once inside, with dexterous hands, they began placing venous lines, injections, and other substances that I can’t remember. They asked my name and age and what had happened. “My name is Daniela García, and I’m twenty years old.” I wasn’t very sure about the accident, but I explained that I was traveling by train and that, suddenly, I had found myself on the tracks. For the first time, I realized that the wagons had passed over my body and the intervals when I thought everything was over were just the time between one car and another. And then, also for the first time, I conceived the idea of having fallen through a hole from one wagon to another. After all, that was the only possible explanation. I told them what I thought, but then I added: “How can there be a hole in a train? That’s not right, is it? Trains don’t have holes in the floor.” Am I dreaming? I kept talking throughout the journey. I even told them that I studied medicine at the Catholic University and that my dad was a doctor from the same place. I asked them to take me there, where he was working, because everything was familiar. Moreover, it was a familiar place that I was very fond of, and at that moment, I needed more than ever to see something familiar. They told me not to worry, that I should remain calm. The people from SAMU commented that they didn’t understand how I could talk so much, considering my gravity and the amount of blood loss. It seemed as if the red blood cells that I had left were in my tongue, they told me. They asked another person, and the same thing happened. Grief grew inside me, and I started to mourn. A lady approached me and asked for a phone number where she could announce it to my family. The possibility of being with the people I loved revived my hope, so I gave her the number of my house. I wanted to be with them all, but I needed my mom more; I needed a hug and to be told that everything would be okay. I still felt so alone. After a while, the same woman returned and told me that no one was answering at my house. No! Why now? I couldn’t stand it. What was the point of fighting so hard if I couldn’t be with my family? The woman asked me for another number to call. I hadn’t thought of that, even though I had the potential. I had to concentrate to remember another phone number, and finally, I gave her my maternal grandmother’s, who lived very near us. When the woman walked away, I prayed that she would have luck now. A few minutes later, she returned to tell me that my family knew what had happened. They moved me to another room so they could take some x-rays and a scan. They were looking for other injuries. But I wasn’t worried; I didn’t feel any pain apart from my limbs. Despite the affection and consideration of those who were taking care of me, my anguish grew. I didn’t want to be like this forever. They put me in a lift. A doctor with a mustache looked at me and smiled. Calmer, I dared to ask again: “Will I be invalid?” Smiling, he looked at me and said: “No, don’t worry. Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” That was what I needed to hear, now that I think about it. I didn’t care whether it was true or false. Those were the words that I needed to hear, and the doctor delivered them. I will always appreciate it because, finally, the anguish reduced, and I could stop sobbing. A medical team was waiting for me in a pavilion. “We must heal and cleanse the wounds,” they said. “Will I have general anesthesia?” I asked. I begged them to put me to sleep since I had been awake for too long. I thought that maybe when I woke up, everything would be better. I had done the impossible to save myself, and the rest was not in my hands. I had a clear conscience, but I needed a break from this nightmare. Then, they put a mask on me, and little by little, I calmed down, and I slowly fell asleep.
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Leonor was reading when the phone rang. She heard Cristián, her son and Daniela’s twin, answer. She jumped with shouts and the question, “Is she alive?” Had something happened to La Paul, his girlfriend? “Daniela had an accident!” he exclaimed. “It can’t be,” Leonor said; she’s on a train. Nothing had presaged a disgrace. But when she took the phone, a woman’s voice confirmed that her daughter had had an accident. “Please, write down the number of the Rancagua Regional Hospital; there, you will get more details,” the woman said. The first thing that jumped into Leonor’s mind was a derailment and countless students whose relatives were being warned. She had to contact Rancagua and locate her husband, who was very busy and had his cell phone off. While calling for more details, she began to receive warnings from Daniela’s classmates, who were still on the train, and that’s how she learned that her daughter was the only one who had had an accident. The boys had no more news; the only certainty was that she had fallen through a hole in the floor between two cars. The hospital in Rancagua confirmed Daniela’s arrival: her state was serious. Leonor heard words like pavilion and amputation. Cristián, meanwhile, answered his cell phone and received more information from Daniela’s classmates’ parents, also physicians, who had contacted the Rancagua Hospital. After learning about the accident through her daughter Pancha, who was traveling with Daniela, Claudio Canals and Paulina Cavagnaro, a couple of medical friends of the Garcías, offered to accompany them to Rancagua immediately. Leonor told Ricardo, Daniela’s boyfriend, about her worries. He also had to learn what was happening. They headed toward the hospital in Rancagua to get more news. They confirmed that Daniela had lost her legs and hands. Everyone burst into tears; it was too much. They prayed to find her alive. The trip was an endless nightmare. At the hospital, the first thing Leonor and her husband saw were groups of young people sitting on the stairs and floor. They recognized several friends. Some were crying. They entered the emergency room, crossing corridors and climbing stairs without noticing the poor and old state of the hospital. Close to the pavilions, they were allowed to stay in the room where the rest of the doctors were. Meanwhile, Claudia Canals, who worked in intensive care, dressed in surgical clothes and entered. When they were there, Ricardo, Maca, and her best friends arrived. Minute by minute, more people arrived. Canals, very concerned, left frequently to give notice of the evolution of the surgery. Daniela required many blood transfusions and a long operation, but she was in stable condition. Since there was no ICU bed available, they decided to move her to the FUSAT Hospital, a few miles away. As they moved her toward the ambulance, her parents could see her. She was still under anesthesia. Leonor and Cristián were grateful to the SAMU doctors and the people of Rancagua for rescuing her. Before leaving, Leonor asked if Daniela had any documents or belongings. The only thing they gave her was her bloody shoes… The motorcade followed the ambulance to the FUSAT Hospital. Relatives and friends joined the long wait, glued to the door of the intensive care unit. Someone suggested going to pray at the hospital chapel. When dawn began, the friends returned home; only Macarena and her mother remained. Finally, the doctor announced that Daniela could be seen, but only one person at a time. Leonor and her husband entered by turns, dressed in aseptic clothes and with the promise of only staying a few minutes. Daniela was intubated and connected to a serum. There were stitches above her right eye and some injuries on her face. It was hard to imagine what her body was like. At a time when Daniela seemed very agitated, her mother cried as she realized that she couldn’t take her hand to comfort her. The feeling of unreality persisted. How could something so dramatic happen? During the long night, Leonor and Cristián prayed and tried to comfort each other. What would the future of their child be like? Daniela’s friends from the train kept calling to request news. One of them had the presence of mind to photograph the site where Daniela had fallen; there would be graphic testimony, the boy thought, sealed several times and from different angles. Morning began with the arrival of family and friends from Rancagua. It was all very confusing. What steps should they take next? After a few hours, Daniela’s stability allowed her to be moved to the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica. The chief physician of the Catholic University ICU found a special ambulance and accompanied her to Santiago.
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October 30, 2002, started early for Ricardo Strube, Daniela’s boyfriend. He had to be in class at eight-thirty at the Peñalolén headquarters. He was in his second year of commercial engineering at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. There was a lot of traffic, and it took him longer than expected to get there, but he didn’t mind; driving had always been one of his passions. The day passed uneventfully; the classes were very tedious, and the casino lunch was somewhat bland. Class ended past three in the afternoon, and since he had no obligations, he decided to spend some hours in the university gym. Ricardo had always been a sportsman. He had twelve years of experience in swimming, and although his studies didn’t leave him much time, he managed to find an outlet for physical activity. Since he began his courtship with Daniela, his enthusiasm for sports had increased. On weekends, they took their bikes and went up the hill, going down after a few fast laps. Ricardo had taught her, with patience, to become his walking mate. Now, they had plans to go out biking, climbing hills, and many other things. Tired after his practice in the gym, Ricardo arrived at his house. “How did it go in college?” Cecilia, his mother, asked him cheerfully. “Well, thanks. I’m going to read the paper,” he answered. “Aren’t you going to meet with Daniela today?” his mother asked. He wasn’t going to. Daniela had left for four days in Temuco, and they wouldn’t see each other. He went upstairs and sat in his favorite chair, reading the newspaper. “Ricardo, phone!” advised Caro, his brother. It was Pato, a good friend from the university. He called to tell him that several people would meet at his house that night. He liked the idea; he had always liked spending time with his friends. Near six in the afternoon, his cell phone rang; Daniela’s name appeared on the screen. He smiled; surely she was calling to say goodbye. She told him that she was very late; she might miss the train. Ricardo reassured her and wished her a good time. “I love you,” Daniela said as they said goodbye. “I love you too,” he said. He felt unable to say goodbye to her personally, but after all, they had been together the evening before, and they would see each other again in a couple of days. At ten at night, he took the keys to his orange Jeep and headed to Pato’s house in La Dehesa. There, he met several of his friends and joined the lively conversation. He felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket and looked at it. It was a call from Daniela’s mother. He tried to communicate, but no one answered; he was wrong to clear it. Minutes later, the phone rang again, and it was Daniela’s mother again. “Hello, Tía?” No one answered, and the call was cut. He called back, but the signal was lost in Pato’s house. After a while, he stopped insisting and went to enjoy the barbecue they were serving. An hour later, the phone vibrated again. It was his mother, saying that she had spoken with Daniela’s mother. It must not be serious, he thought. Daniela had always been spoiled, and she was probably a little scared. Of course, he was going to Rancagua if she wanted him to. Leaving Pato’s house, he called Daniela’s father’s cell phone for more information. He answered crying, something he had never heard before. What was happening? “She’s very ill. We don’t know anything more,” he said through tears. What! It couldn’t be true; it was all so unreal. Less than twenty-four hours ago, they had been together! What if she was dead? He couldn’t conceive the thought of losing her. He felt something wet on his cheeks; he was crying; he couldn’t remember the last time he had cried. He stepped on the gas without paying attention to the bumps or the lights. He had to arrive at his house soon; he needed the support of his family. He ran and told his parents what he knew. “We’ll take you to Rancagua immediately. You’re not in a condition to drive,” his father said. Ricardo called again on the road for more news; this time, he spoke with Daniela’s mother. That’s how he heard that she was alive but with serious injuries to her limbs. During the trip, they analyzed the different possibilities of what could have happened. His dad reassured him that it couldn’t be serious if she was alive. When they arrived at the Rancagua Hospital, he could see that the entrance was full of Daniela’s friends. He was impressed to see that all their faces were full of bitterness, and the little peace he had gained during the trip vanished. Juan Pablo, one of his best friends, approached him with red eyes. “Ricardo, Daniela lost her two arms and two legs,” he said ruefully. No, no! Daniela was so young, so alive, so beautiful. He tried to imagine her without arms or legs, but it was too painful. He looked for Daniela’s parents, who gave him more details: her condition was stable, and she was being relocated. “Will they save her legs and arms? Is it possible to reattach them?” Ricardo asked hopefully. “No, it’s not possible,” Daniela’s mother answered. And he sat down to wait, trying to accept this new reality that had been forcibly imposed. He only wanted Daniela to be okay; he didn’t want her to die. He was going to help her recover; Daniela was strong; together, they would succeed. At two o’clock, they began Daniela’s transfer to the FUSAT Hospital. While they were taking her, he could see her being carried on a stretcher to the ambulance. She was full of tubes and patches, and it was clear that there was a lot of space on the stretcher where her legs should have been. It was hard to believe that she was the same person with whom he had been laughing so recently. After they decided who would take her, with her parents, that there was nothing else they could do there. So, they began the return journey. About four in the morning, he arrived at his house. Ricardo couldn’t sleep; he still felt like adrenaline was coursing through his veins after everything he had experienced. He knew that nothing would ever be the same. He wanted to support Daniela, help her with everything that was coming, but he didn’t know how. He stayed talking for a good time with his father, and that conversation helped him see things more clearly. He couldn’t fall asleep, so he accepted a pill that his dad offered him. Gradually, he calmed down; his last thoughts were for Daniela.
Memories of a Friend: Diego Zanolli
BEGIN TO WRITE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IS VERY far from easy. PAINFUL AS IS, FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD ALWAYS BE A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD … BUT THAT NIGHT I wonder about Everything that seemed so solid in my life.
We had BACKPACKS, COOLERS, grocery bags and MUCH thing imaginable. IN THE CENTRAL STATION TRAIN asked what we had to. HEARD AFTER RAIL ON MODERNIZATION OF STATE CARS I expect to run into the latest generation. My naïve clashes with reality Nustra SEE THE TRAIN: very old, probably from the 50s, considerable deterioration WAGONS WITH THE CLEARLY REMEMBER: YOUR GEAR COVERED BY THE RUST, painted in a color that was once IN BLUE AND that time had left its mark.
THE WORST WAS INSIDE LOOK: THE FLOOR OF THE WAGON IN THE ERA we traveled, plywood PLASTIC COVER OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. BY THEIR BREAKS could see the metal skeleton, WINDOWS, WOOD, lacked the support to keep open … FOR SOME VENTILATION PRMITIR, wit a system: one can of tuna HUMBLE PLACED BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND FRAME.
It was assumed that every delegation would be a car and could travel BOARD. HOWEVER, OUR GROUP OF CATHOLIC INEXPLICABLE was divided into two wagons; SOME ARE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THE FIRST CARS AND THE REST WE WERE LOCATED IN ANOTHER VERY END, separated by seven cars.
PAST EIGHT BY END OF THE NIGHT TRAIN STARTED TO MOVE. He had achieved TO OPEN WINDOWS, BUT THE INSPECTOR TO CLOSE BECAUSE suggested to us used to be that, in passing through the populations, some joker threw stones, which had caused more than a mishap to passengers. After reviewing the passage withdrawal, which began the hustle TYPICAL OF TRAVEL BY RAIL: WOMEN WITH BABY Llorona, SELLERS chips, cookies, drinks and beer, and many students gentry PASANDO from car to car. THE BEGINNING OF THE CELEBRATION DID NOT EXPECT …
GROUPS of friends gathered around a radio loud and soon established a lively FESTIVAL. The quietest form a nucleus SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS.
Maybe it was about ten. I proposed DANI AND FRAMEWORK TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR TRAVEL WHERE THE REST OF OUR DELEGATION. And begin our journey, uniting now and then to the celebrations of other universities. CANCIONESDE chanted SOME GUITAR AND CAMPFIRE, others were reading, many simply slept. We asked UNIVERSITY OF WHAT WERE WE THEN shouted, USACH!, WE, THE CHILE! GOING TO COLLEGE OR OFF. THE QUESTION WAS SHARING THE JOY.
FILA INDIA IBAMA, ME FIRST, THEN THE FINAL AND FRAMEWORK DANIELA. DANI suddenly approached me and taking me by the arm, she said Keep me, DIEGUITO LINDO … THESE WORDS DO NOT NEVER FORGET. We enter a completely dark-CAR HAD BEEN CUT OFF THE LIGHT-AND, the same, many people slept. WE MOVE IN SILENCE.
BEYOND SALUTE TO SOME FRIENDS OF THE DELEGATION OF THE MAYOR AND AFTER COLLEGE TO PURSUE THIS WAGON. I headed the group, and opened the door I found that that dark space between rail wagons LIGHT DID NOT BECAUSE … There was simply no AMPOLLETAS! SHOW YOUR SIDE LINING OF IMPAIRMENT AND METAL PLATE FLOOR linking the two wagons ESAB so far apart that left a hole in the ground. VERY CLOSE, two friends talking while smoking a cigarette. FROM THE OTHER WAGON, counterclockwise, Came NICHOLAS, A PARTNER OF A COURSE BELOW. As always, I FIRST CROSSING. This time I had to step LENGTH TO AVOID THE PIT. A moment later I felt a blow behind me …
I could not believe it, I took my head and told myself it was a lie, this was not happening, it was just a dream … NOT PASSED OVER THIRTY SECONDS UNTIL THE REACTION: He must do something. Thinking about jumping off the train, but quickly decided that the best part was that he stopped. BUSQUÉ emergency brakes, but there was. I ran to the HOME OF THE WAGON hoping to encounter the Dani, who nothing had happened, he was not there. HAD TO STOP THE RUN, AND THE ONLY THING I could do was the driver of the locomotive. Ran thither ALONG WITH FRAME. JUMP ON THE PACKAGES FOR THE HALL, BY GROUPS OF FRIENDS, Etude each obstacle, with a key idea BETWEEN BOTH PAIN: I HAD TO STOP THE TRAIN. It took him two minutes to get to the restaurant car, where an official met me.
– A woman fell from the train, I’m not lying, not a joke, PLEASE STOP THE TRAIN “cried panting.
THE OFFICER TO THE LOCOMOTIVE left immediately. And fell to my knees, broken-hearted and with feelings of helplessness, pain and rage.
Only then did I realize that I was followed by two colleagues at the University ask what was happening.
“He fell LA DANI” was only answer while exploiting of outrage and sorrow. WHAT ELSE COULD DO? JUST PRAY, SO I STARTED A PRAYER OUT LOUD AND PASSENGERS I asked to pray with me. Started back to my car AND my seat. WHERE TO GET MY DELEGATION, A PARTNER OF AN ADVANCED COURSE suggested I mum, not increase the panic and stress. DROP ME with my friends.
WAS TERRIBLE SEE BEFORE AND NOW CELEBRATING WITH HAPPY FACES PAIN twisted. COULD NOT DOWNLOAD OUR IMPOTENCE AS NO FURA punched DAMN THE SEATS OF TRAIN; UNOS cry, others prayed, and some even refused to accept what happened. HIGHLY NIGHTWATCHMEN They ordered us to stay in our seats. For my part, my sister Maria and a friend She hugged me trying to contain. I still PROFERI cries of rage. MANY WERE my shock and my grief, COULD NOT MOURN.
JUST FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER YOU GIVE NOTICE OF OFFICER restaurant car, the train stopped. Later I learned that it had been warnings DAD OF ONE OF OUR PARTNERS. SI did not stop, He would cross his vehicle in the railway. The train stopped at a dark place, and five minutes later to continue its journey to San Fernando. BEFORE YOU ARE THERE DETUVERA, a fellow stood before all and we said the DANI was alive, but knew nothing more.
BAJARON IMMEDIATELY IN SAN FERNANDO ALEJANDRO, FELIPE, JUAN PABLO AND RUBEN, THE LORD expect the same who had earlier threatened to cross the car on the VIA, and headed RANCAGUA HOSPITAL, WHERE HE HAD TAKEN TO DANI. At that point I could not take it more, had to do something, I had to get off the train. STAYING THERE WAS A unbearable torture. ACCOMPANIED BY JOSÉ LUIS MARCO AND MY BROTHER MARIO, Skip to ANDE. A COUPLE OF CARABINEROS asked about the DANI … YES, is alive but has lost both his legs, they said.
IN THE HEAT OF NIGHT WITH OUR backpack, walking like LOST SEEKING HELP. AT LAST encontram a taxi and asked Him to taken to hospital in Rancagua. DURAN’S JOURNEY-TO THIRTY MINUTES AND HOURS seemed like hours, I prayed and thought of many things. PENS HOW WOULD THE LIFE OF THE DANI FROM NOW ON, I noticed every detail of that situation, extremely tense. We kept a rigorous SILENCE, nobody had the courage to speak or the strength to support the other. FINALLY ARRIVED UNTIL THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY SERVICE. We learned ALL THERE …
> JOHN PAUL WAS THE FIRST EXIT TO OUR MEETING.
– Lost his legs … ARMS AND THE TWO-WE SAID, WITH A SIDE OF PAIN THAN EVER BEFORE I’d seen him. NOW IS THE FLAG, YOU CAN SAVE.
PARENTS OF DANI, already warned, coming from Santiago SPEED ALL THE OTHER PERSONS PR PARTNER. He also traveled Santiao FROM OTHER FRIENDS and my parents. ENDLESS WAIT IN THAT FRAMEWORK approached me and said:
-DIEGO, was not our fault, RIGHT? DIME LO QUE NO FUE!
I could tell, I could hardly stand …
-NO FRAME, it was not … THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU you or me, we could not have known …-. THEN, enraged, struck a metal bar FORCE IN AN ATTEMPT TO THROW ALL THE outrage she felt.
TO GET MY DAD, my mother hug. PARENTS OF DANI, behind them, went directly to the lodge. IF NOT NOW Compend was nothing to do there, we decided it was better to return to Santiago. Only the next day when I realized I was not a nightmare, IT WAS REAL, I COULD JUST MOURN … AND DID LONG and grief ….
THE AWAKENING
Wake rested, with the feeling of having spent a good night. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Uncle Hernan, elder brother of my dad. I wonder how I felt.
“Okay,”.
-YOU IN THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
I looked around and, happily, I could see it was true. ALL I was familiar, I had it! Then I realized CONCERN IN THE EYES OF MY UNCLE.
– DANI, DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU?
I said yes, she knew she had lost my hands and my legs. UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS BEEN TO BE LOGICAL devastated, but I was happy. FINALLY was not alone, fought and triumphed. Was alive, and at that moment, that was enough. ASKED BY my parents.
-Is on his way he answered.
That made me even happier.
Then he went to my room My twin brother, Cristian. We are the largest of five children, including MUJER.HEMOS AM THE ONLY HAD A SPECIAL BOND, CRISTIÁN care and protection ALWAYS BUT NOT like to admit. I must admit that BUT AFTER SOME TEENS distance ourselves and he turned more reserved.
His bloodshot eyes to prove it had had a hard time, BUT GUESS WHAT YOUR SMILE MORE QUIET NOW THAT I WAS AWARE. Approached me and patted my head AUDREY. I was still asleep COMPLETELY, SO do not remember all the cute things he whispered. YES ME YOUR AGREEMENT TO THIS SEE ME AND CARE conveyed to me. Also remember that He made me promise something, a “PROMISE OF TWINS” he said.
– TE Promise not surrender, THAT struggling to get by.
I answered yes, of course, I did not think to do otherwise.
ALSO NOTE THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER PERSON. Eramian AMIGA, MACA. I was very HAPPY TO SEE IT, SHE ALSO HAD A missed. I smiled and smiled BACK. EVERYTHING I started telling me what had happened. LE said that I believed I fell through a hole across from car to car and he had felt as wagons passed over me. DSPERTAR ALSO ONE IN MY WAY AND HOW I never realized that he had no hands or legs. Who had struggled to live because BELIEVED THAT MY DAD WAS GOING TO FIND A WAY TO HELP. BUT, THE TRUTH, I WAS STILL CONCERNED, WHAT IF HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ME?
LLEARÍAN my parents and they told me. But there SOMEONE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
– WHERE IS RICHARD? – Ask around.
-ALSO COMES IN WAY MACA “he replied.
WITH RICARDO would soon be three years together. We had a great relationship, we understand very well and we dearly loved. FUNDAMENTAL AND SEE IT WAS ME, not only because foreign but Because I imagine their concern.
> My parents, finally! TO SEE NO could not stop smiling, I was elated. AS IF IT WAS NOT THE HAS SEEN IN A LONG TIME AND WE JUST REENCONTRÁRAMOS. We hugged and I could realized that everything I was feeling, I felt them too. But I still had a weight inside ME. Never live A QUESTION WAS MY DAD, BUT FEARED YOUR ANSWER. I took courage:
– PAPI, WILL I BE INVALID?
– OF COURSE NOT! – Said in a firm voice. NOW THERE ARE FEW HAND PROSTHESIS PIERNASY SUPER GOOD, YOU SEEM TO LET THOSE VERDAD.Y PUT.
Although the word PROSTHESIS frightens me a little understood what she was MY DAD He conveyed. My happiness was complete and I could enjoy fellowship. AFTER A LITTLE TALK TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ALSO HAD PAST ME, MY DAD ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SUE THE COMPANY Railroad. I did not even think about.
– Obviously if! THIS WILL NOT happen again. Most likely I fell BECAUSE THAT I AM Chicayan FLACA SILA BUT WHAT NEXT TIME A CHILD HAS FALLEN?
SO MY FATHER, that day it was entrusted with undertaking the relevant procedures.
Ricardo arrived a little later. My parents went out and left us alone. We hugged and I felt very protected, AS ALWAYS WHEN I’M WITH HIM. IT IS STILL VERY felt tense and worried, so I looked and I TOLD HIM SMILING:
– Are you going to arm myself AGAIN HELP?
Reassured, and assured me that if we laughed together.
I COULD NOT MORE OF HAPPINESS. I had it! WAS ALIVE! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, was no longer alone.
IN THE ICU
I spent about THREE DAYS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU). My memories of that time were not very clear: STILL BAD AND ME will continue to administer many medications. BUT ME, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OF GRAVITY, I was very happy despite HOSES CONNECTED TO AND FROM TIME TO TIME THAT MONITORS PITEABAN. Hard to keep me awake; SEVERAL TIMES I fell asleep whilst talking to someone and then woke died of shame. EVEN once spent a funny thing: talking with Richard and entered the room his brother Franz.
FUZZY-TE VEO “I told Afraid.
– BUT DANI! IF YOU HAVE THE OXYGEN MASK EYE TAPÁNDOTE Franz replied.
I could not stop laughing.
But in the midst of my confusion there anything I remember it clearly. EN EL CARIÑO QUE ME TRIED TO DOCTORS, NURSES AND OCCASIONAL. It carries out the smallest details. My hair, for example, were filthy, Pegote STILL WITH LAND AND BLOOD. THE ONLY SOLUTION will be short, I thought, but put a BOWL OF FURNITURE BEHIND my head and they washed it with shampoo and balm. AFTER ME LO unravel with incredible patience, a little every day until he was resurrected. At first, my weakness, I could not even raised an arm SINGLE, THEN TIME TO TIME DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT, VERY CAREFULLY AND AFFECTION I changed my position so I was comfortable. He was always willing to listen and talk to me, always had words of encouragement. Did much for me, but more importantly was ENTREGRAME LOVE, during those weeks, when you need it.
PART I was in was quite small, perhaps four by two meters, without windows. ONLY WHOLE WHITE AND DECORATED BY THE DIFFERENT MIS monitor that records vital signs. THE only noise you OF THOSE WERE THE MACHINERY OF THE METAL TRAYS wearing NURSES AND SOME TALKS BETWEEN THEM. Having no more distractions, I focus on DISTINGUISH THE STEPS AND TO THE VOICES OF NURSES. And by the way, that smell ASEPTIC AND FAMILY AS FOR TYPICAL medical students. WHEN CHANGING THE PERCEPTION IS ONE PATIENT! Luckily my BED FACING THE DOOR, AND HOW THIS WAS THE LOOKING GLASS I was distracted I nurses and doctors making the rounds. I smiled at them, AND SOME MORE OF ME LOOKING BACK WITH SHAME AND FACE DABA. How silly, I thought, Do they not know how happy I am? Especially because from afar, THROUGH THE DOOR TRANSPARENT ABOUT could recognize coming toward me.
LITTLE by little, I realized I was VERY GRVE MORE than I thought. Every so APPEARED pain or hurt again. I discovered I had HORTCUTS WITH SEVERAL POINTS IN THE HEAD, THE OTHER ON my right eye and a large wound in the left buttock MI. Most intriguingly, BUT WAS STILL HAVE COMMON SENSE OF MY LEGS AND MY HANDS. SOMETIMES IN BED WAS SO REAL BUT THE SHEETS ONLY GIVE ME THAT MUCH nothing had changed. The doctor explained AFTER THIS IS NORMAL IN AMPUTEES; IS CALLED >.
DESPITE EVERYTHING, I was still happy and quiet around me WHY people I ENTREGBA much affection. My parents, for example, always with me. Even slept in the HOSPITAL. EVERY MORNING, THE AWAKENING, impatiently awaited saw him.
One morning my dad came THAT WOULD BE NEXT TO MY HEAD DOCTOR IN THIS PROCESS.
– YOU KNOW THE DOCTOR JORGE VERGARA, right? EN TRAUMATOLOGO AND ORDER YOU WILL my father said.
I could not help but smile. Of course I KNEW, HE HAD BEEN THE HEAD OF THE WORKSHOP ON ONLY A FEW MONTHS BACK TRAUMATOLOGÍA. AND SEE ME THERE WAS NOT SURPRISE. Was best suited, so that I remember thinking about him when IBA IN SAMU ambulance and asked to be transferred to Santiago.
VERGARA DOCTOR explain “its General Plan and was informed that FLAG SHOULD ENTER again to end the STARTED CLEANING TIPS MIS in Rancagua.
That afternoon I was taken into surgery. THRILL ME TO BE TRANSFERRED AND SEE THE AMOUNT OF GENE A WAY OUT OF THE ICU. They were all friends! FACE FULL OF LAUGHTER I was greeted everyone. WHEN I CAME TO THE FLAG WAS I could see many doctors, some familiar faces and some not. IBA CALM BUT ME KNOW IN GOOD HANDS AND ME sleeping peacefully while I got general anesthesia.
WHEN I WOKE UP transferred back to my room. MY SIDE, THE DOCTOR INFORMED ME VERGARA that everything went OK. He then explained, my parents and me, that HAD BEEN CLEAN RIGOROUS.
– FOUND MANY EARTH-said and what dismayed me most was some hairs on your left arm.
CLARO, if you went with that hand with which I had hoped to uncover the face during the accident.
SUDDENLY I noticed a HUGE cardboard box.
– I leave CRISTIÁN, YOUR BROTHER-SIGN MY DAD.
Was a television. I can not believe, thought must have spent all their savings. It came with a beautiful letter in which I remember our >. I’m excited a lot and I’m glad I FEEL SO CLOSE AGAIN.
DESPITE how happy I had put on surprise, I did not feel anything right. ANESTHESIA OF OPERATION is evaporated and the pain in all four limbs was unbearable. VI THE FACE OF CONCERN my parents, SO BROMO told them:
– Looks like orthopedic WORSE than trains.
ME PAIN MEDICINE SLEEP POSSIBLE, BUT NO I SPENT A GOOD NIGHT.
Every time I opened DISCOVERED NEW COLORS EYE ON MY PART. My younger brothers, Jose Ignacio and RAFAEL, gave me a PIOLÍN OF PLUSH to accompany me. Then came other monkeys, POSTERS, PHOTOS AND OTHER OBJECTS SYMPATHETIC.
It was assumed that I could not see anyone, but there was always someone IGAL ME, whether a friend or relative. Many people even came I did not know or did not see a long time. ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING VISIT WAS DE DIEGO; He agreed MY STORY, confirmed the existence of holes in the floor of the train, even told me they had taken some pictures. It was very important to hear.
IN ONE OF HIS VISITS My teammates asked if I wanted to go to medical school. Of course he wanted! MEDICINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I have no memory of having tried STUDY ELSE. WHEN YOU WERE IN FOUR BASIC BOARD CURITIVA a couple of patches (strips), I asked my mom forceps, put into a vial Povidone, AND OTHER Tonteras OVER, WITH A COMPANION TO FORM MY OWN NURSING. All recesses opened our > AND MORE THAN ANY INJURIES child makes up for treatment. Until one day we get a REAL CASE: A COMPANION AND KNEE HE FELL SIGNIFICANTLY you have bleeding. NOS VIMOS very complicated. But I was not off-putting to study medicine, including my classmates, for jokes, I told myself > BY THE TELEVISION SERIES. How could he not be happy to achieve my dream, though not without effort: In 1999 between to study medicine at the Catholic University.
Together with my colleagues plan HOW WOULD MY BACK TO SCHOOL. MY GOAL WAS MAKING MY STATE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FOURTH YEAR STUDY AND FINISH WITH MY COURSE. AFTER SUMMER dedicate the my recovery, to wear the prosthesis and be back in MARCH TO START FIVE. Now I realize that I had no IDEA OF HOW THE WORLD OF REHABILITATION, time, dedication and work entailed. ALL ILUSA I thought would be simple and quick that my life could ever be like before, such as he had left. It would ENOUGH TIME BEFORE I landed in reality.
With the passing of day I felt better and I were taken away some of the many MONITORS AND HOSES. At first I WAS NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO TAKE WATER. LA SED, which was no small, CALM ME wetting his lips with a moist dressing. YO LE squeeze every last PEDZO DROP CLOTH TO THAT. ME food through a nasogastric tube. THERE FOR LIQUEFIED I got rich in nutrients. What a relief when I finally withdraw that PROBE. RETURN COULD TAKE A GLASS OF WATER, AND I DID THAT I GOT so hard to jam. AND THE FIRST TIME I ate something! THE SIMPLE RASPBERRY JELLY ME was the most delicious dish.
THE DOWNSIDE OF THE REMOVAL OF THE TUBE WAS DUE TO AVOID SPEAKING AS DOCTOR INSTRUCTIONS Bujedo HEAD OF ICU. WAS FAR the hardest thing i could ask. I needed to talk my visits! But try as he asked MEET BUT KEEP RECEIVING friendships. JUST SIGN attempts to communicate with.
But I still felt weak and susceptible to infections, so anyone into my PIECE WAS HAND WASHING. RICARDO Assistance Treaty ALL THAT COULD, SO I took this very seriously, every time we touched something VOLVIO to wash. I was very laughter to see him. TO WHOM WILL I repeated the order: WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING THE DANI OSAR. EVEN AFTER HE did for some doctors!.
My rehabilitation, consisting KINESIOLOGY SESSION, began the next day of the cleanup operation. The objective was to regain my strength MUSCULAR, much diminished by the accident and the immobility of REST. BY MY STATE, THE EXERCISES WERE VERY LIGHTWEIGHT. REMEMBERING THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO SIT ON THE EDGE OF THE BED. WERE JUST A FEW MINUTES, BUT I thought I’d faint from exertion; I got so tired as if he had run a marathon. HOWEVER, THE FEELING BACK TO SEE THE WORLD FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ME HAPPY AND encouraged me FOR ME TO GIVE ALL YOU COULD TO MOVE FORWARD.
> At last THE DAY THAT MY DOCTOR CONSIDERS STATE VERGARA allowed me to be transported to another location. THE REST OF THE MEDICAL TEAM WAS THE OPINION OF put myself in the intermediate care unit, but the doctor insisted that it be beneficial VERGARA keep me where I could be more relaxed, CHEST AND ACCOMPANIED BY MY PARENTS. So I came to a piece CLINIC IN THE TOWER OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.
THE EARLY DAYS IN THE CLINIC
I moved WHILE THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSPITAL, quite anxious, try to imagine HOW WOULD THE NEW PART (ROOM), the place where it should stay until I got HIGH. Would WINDOWS? Ojala que si! And with a nice view! AT least, I thought relief, not Being surrounded by machine, as in the ICU.
My impression was great. THE ROOM WAS BEAUTIFUL! COLORS BY END SAW, walls and curtains of a soft pink. I felt a lump in my throat When I saw that next to mine, a SALITA WOULD BE FOR MY MOTHER, MY SLEEPING FOR ALL MY SIDE DURING HOSPITALIZATION. THIS CHANGE MADE ME FEEL HEALTHIER, as if he had passed the worst phase.
My companions, FURTHER, carrying the huge amount of DECORATIONS AND GIFTS RECEIVED WHILE I WAS IN THE ICU. BUT not manage to have everything ready and left half SOME THINGS AS A SIGN WITH MY NAME IN colored letters. It said only >. I laughed a lot and who was coming should explain WHY missing the first lyrics.
– NO, NOT ME AS MY FRIENDS SAY.
UNTIL FINALLY MY FRIEND JOSE LUIS PLACED He pitied the missing letters.
WATERCOLOR WITH FLOWERS FROM MY BED TO STOP QUICKLY RISE TO DESAPAREACIÓ TABLE WITH PICTURES I’ve always had in my room. Was among the first things that drew me MY BROTHERS. IF I were to make a comparison, I would say that my room was like a birthday HOUSE, AND MY JOY, NO LESS. At times I FORGOT THE REASON FOR BEING THERE.
Soon ENTERED THE NUTRITIONIST question I wanted lunch. “He heard right? COULD EAT NORMAL FOOD AGAIN! When the POLO WITH RICE-ME LO had to give because I could not eat alone – I ate him. I had not realized how hungry I was, and how much he had missed a meal!
WITH those joys, I must admit that the first days were very difficult. ME HAD DECREASED DRUG AWARENESS AND REALITY It became more apparent. I STARTED take the weight to the severity of my accident and its consequences; limitations, what he had lost. AND FINALLY, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I CRIED. And cried a lot. I wept for the loss of four loved ones: my right hand, my left hand, my right leg, my left leg. LOS EXTRAÑO TANTO, I could not believe no longer exists. HAD ME WHY THIS HAPPENED TO ME? What had he done to deserve something like? I CRIED an entire day, until no more tears left. MY FAMILY AND RICARDO were very important at this stage, always had words to cheer about. FIVE BROTHERS AND ME WE ARE THE ONLY WOMAN. CRISTIÁN, MI twin brother, MARTIN TWENTY YEARS AND TWO CONCHOS, Jose Ignacio and Rafael, who, despite having THIRTEEN ELEVEN YEARS AND ALWAYS WILL BE >. ME FOUR MUSIC RECORD A COMPACT, where I dedicate songs to cheer myself PRECIOUS AND express affection.
My mom never pulled away from me, and RICARDO AND MY DAD searching online for information THESE NEW PROSTHESIS, how advanced they were and the actual than they looked. BACK TO ALL THAT COULD GO BACK I calmed down and think clearly. I dried my TEARS. I would not give up, going to fight and regain all that I had taken away. MANY people have asked me where I got the strength to go FORWARD. THE TRUTH, DO NOT KNOW, BUT I’M SURE OF ONE THING: If I had not had the support of people who NEVER left me alone, ESA would still be in hospital bed.
> ONE OF THE MOST SITUATIONS WAS HARD TO ACCEPT THE NEED OF HELP FOR ALL: eat, sit, AND EVEN MORE FOR MY PERSONAL COSSA. SINCE I HAVE BEEN VERY INDEPENDENT GIRL. TYPICAL’m the person who thinks for something done right, do it YOURSELF. HOWEVER, THE NATURAL AND THE OCCASIONAL Tact NURSES AND THINGS I HAD more tolerable. AFFECTION AND TO THOSE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AGRADEACIMIENTO It allows me to learn the name of each.
A few days later I started to feel a new, strange feeling in my limbs. It was like a tingly, like IF MY HANDS AND FEET-far non-existent “I had ASLEEP. VERGARA DOCTOR told me that I was hoping this start because, LIKE THE >, THIS IS SOMETHING NEW COMMON SYMPTOM after amputation. CALLED >. I do not worry, it was not for anything painful. BUT I unaware that this was just the beginning.
Every three days I was to CURES. Me out the bandages, ME disinfect and then I put other STERILE AND ABOUT THEM, PLASTER, MY TIPS TO PREVENT swell. The first few times were very difficult for me. Ended up in tears For I am not used to not see my hands and legs it should be. ALSO IN PLACE OF WOUNDS my skin was completely black, as if burned. Will I ever could be cured?
A PAIN THAT IS added another: I had to open eyes to the fact that I was not able to follow STUDYING MEDICINE THAT YEAR. DOCTOR VERGARA made me realize that this was ILUSO my present condition. ME THEN DECIDED TO FREEZE THE RACE AND THE NEXT YEAR TO GIVE MY FULL REHABILITATION.
Another important mark those early days. THANKS TO TELEVISION reconnected ME WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD. I was surprised VERME, AND ACCIDENT AND MY MY STORY IS ONE OF THE OWNERS OF ALL the news. EVEN SAW some friends of mine, such as maca, GIVING TESTIMONY. In the beginning was fun to see my face on TV, I felt even a little FAMOUS. But soon preferred OFF; I was so STATEMENTS SUCH AS SOME DAMAGE THAT I CURED was on the train or drugs, it was impossible for me had fallen through a hole, which had probably been doing something reckless. He even heard someone saying that I had THROWN BY THE WINDOW RIGHT ON A CURVE AND BY THESE HAD BEEN UNDER THE RAILS. FORTUNATELY, little by little, the truth came to the light.
During that first period VERGARA preferred DOCTOR I DO NOT receive visitors. REST was key to my recovery. ONLY, I take my closest relatives.
TONS OF AFFECTION.
WAS INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF AFFECTION TO RECEIVE ALL THE TIME she was hospitalized. EVEN I imagine he could get much love. AND NOT ONLY MY FAMILY, friends or acquaintances, but people who never even knew me. EVERY FIVE MINUTES ARRIVAL GIFTS AND FLOWERS, THAT MANY OF MY ROOM MOM looked like a garden.
IMAGES OF SAINTS AND WERE MEDALLITA lining the wall above my bed. I also found COUNTLESS OF PRAYER CHAIN HAD DONE FOR ME. BEFORE NOT UNDERSTOOD THE TRUE POWER THAT HAS THE PRAYER, NOW I realize how strong he is. EACH TIME YOU KNOW SOMEONE ELSE prayed for me, my strength GREW, FELT THE ENERGY OF THAT PERSON sent me and it gave me courage to go FIGHTING.
But what most impressed me LETTERS SUPPORT WITH WORDS unknown person, EVEN Chileans living abroad! STILL REMEMBER ME melts to those people who, without obligation, dedicate a period of their lives to send a gesture of affection. All I got, SUBJECT TO THE LOWEST LIVES SAVED IN A PIECE OF MY CHEST, TRUNK IS MY HAPPINESS. FORCES NEED EVERY TIME I open it and sit back down EVERYTHING that love. AND SERVE ME A LOT, because I realize I have to keep fighting, not only for myself but also for all those people who believed in me.
SOMETIMES There was even a needle in my room, especially when my classmates Came, HAVE THE SAME HOURS & Arrival CHOCLÓN. What joy! The room filled with laughter, singing and music. Luckily the other patients in my apartment not challenged.
BUT REGARDLESS OF MANY PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAD THE DOUBLE wait outside. SOMEONE IS WRONG TO LEAVE A BOOK FOR THOSE WHO WANT ME TO WRITE SOMETHING. TODAY I HAVE SIX MESSAGES LINDOS NOTEBOOKS Brimming with friends, family, other patients and people I went to see unknown. Incredible! HOW I HELPED!, EACH PERSON WHO WROTE THE FELT CLOSE TO ME, BUT COULD NOT SEE. AT NIGHT, before bedtime, my mother read the MESSAGES AND I FELT THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT. Was the most entertaining DAY.
WORLDWIDE seeking ways of helping and complicated if they knew how. I NEED TO EAT ENOUGH; to the accident I spent my energy reserves. THEREFORE, IN ADDITION TO THE FOUR FOOD WAS TO TAKE TWO DAILY FOOD SUPPLEMENTS LIKE A THICK MILK. I’ve never been very good to eat. If I am to be honest, I’m more hands, so he was not eating ENOUGH. AND THERE FRIENDS find something specific that they help. EVERY DAY brought me goodies, EVEN SHOWED SEVERAL culinary qualities and I was amazed with the delicacies prepared and that I ate HAPPY. I REMEMBER A COUPLE OF FRIENDS, THE HELLY AND JAVIER, Caluga MADE EACH AND WRAPPING CASERAS in cellophane; DABA PENA DE eat them how pretty they looked. ANOTHER PARTNER, THE FEÑA, one day I inquired about my favorite ice cream.
– THE CREAM BISCUITS WITH SCRAPS I replied.
Twenty-four hours later he appeared with a pot of ICE CREAM … READY FOR IT! DIEGO, FOR HIS PART, TOOK ME A BOTTLE OF BARBECUE SAUCE. To bring a little flavor to your meals, she said.
ONE EVENING, A GROUP OF FRIENDS WITH THAT ONCE A MONTH got together moved into my room with ONCE A FULL-ice cream, cakes, hot sandwiches, to commemorate our normal >. AS ALWAYS, HARTO copucha and laughed. THE NEXT DAY, my friends ask me that he had spoken CONCERNED THAT LAUGHTER! WHY ARE so self-centered? BELIEVE YOU ARE THE ONLY ITEM …
ELSE THAT was funny when my team ERA, ESPECIALLY MY FRIEND JOSE LUIS, came to visit JUST HOURS OF MY FOOD. A LOW gave EVERYTHING I reject and left the empty tray. I welcome AFTER THE NUTRITIONIST: WELL, DANIELA TODAY consume more than two thousand calories!
Between visiting received daily, there was a particular pleasure. From Rancagua, Victor came to see me and duck SAMU MEMBERS, THE ROCKET MAN who had saved me. And by the way, did not come empty-handed: He brought me GIFT TO A PICTURE OF BOTH THE AMBULANCE THAT MOVES ME. SON memories I too warmly. BOTH HAD to tell you, THANK YOU SO MUCH. BUT CAME TO SEE ME NO WORDS COULD ONLY MOURN OF EMOTION. THANKS TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO NOW LOOKING BETWEEN TEARS, I had another opportunity to live, ANOTHER CHANCE TO MEET ALL MY LIFE PROJECT. I KNOW THAT I’LL NEVER ENOUGH POWER TO THANK YOU, BUT MY STRENGTH hugged TADA.
FATHER FELIPE BERRIOS ONE OF THE FIRST IN A present when the UCI and, though I KNEW NEVER stopped visiting. Insisted on being called Phillip TUTEARA AND LO, as we talked LARGE. NEVER FORGET ME SOMETHING THAT SAID:
– Do not think that what happened is A > Or something like that. God would not take their hands and legs to a person only for testing; are just things that happen and no one is guilty.
I also wonder why he thought he had saved and told him I thought it was a miracle.
– No, you’re alive because YOU struggle to live, “he replied.
Made me feel very proud of myself. From the beginning Philip was a great support to me and I have not STOPPED TO ACCOMPANY ALL THE WAY HE WALK.
DISCOMFORT THAT THE DOCTOR CALLED VERGARA > was increased in intensity. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN WHAT BECAME WHAT initially was just a tingling. IT WAS A VERY STRANGE FEELING LIKE SOME PAINFUL EXREMADAMENTE ELECTRIC CURRENT in all four limbs, as if he had stuck his fingers in a plug. Other times I felt like I were burning FOOT OR AS IF I drove needles. The pain was so strong that it COULD tears. NIGHTS IN THIS triples and let me sleep. DOCTOR VERGARA, psychiatrists and other physicians JAIME SANTANDER ANALGESIC prove how much exists, but it’s a relief OR WHOLE DAY leaving me stunned.
MY MOTHER STARTED TO TRY EVERYTHING so we advise to try to relieve my pain. Then one of her friends SPOKE OF A LADY What did Reiki, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE TECHNICAL PERSON THAT MAKES IT TURNS INTO A KIND OF CHANNEL AND TRANSMITTING ENERGY ENVIRONMENT to those in need. My mom and I were willing to try, And that was how I met Maria ANTONIA.
I never questioned whether TECHNIQUES SUCH esoteric “in which many people do not believe-served some purpose. I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR ME, AND I MUST SAY THAT THE REIKI served me well. I DO NOT REMOVE THE PAIN RELIEF MUCH BUT ME.
HOWEVER, I think what helped me most was THE DELIVERY OF MARY ANTONIA. Following his work and instead of going home where you’ll HER HUSBAND AND SONS, came to see me. OFF almost all the lights, played music and asked me to SUAVE I relaxed. AFTER clasped her hands and held them to me without touching me. SERVED BY THE IBA MY body, concentrating on my limbs. I felt a warmth SOOTHING where she laid his hands and, sometimes, a pleasant tingling. AND HOW I poured TRANQUILITY AND CARE transmitted to me! Stayed for more than an hour with me, until I RELAXED. IBAN PAINS leave my body and were replaced by a sense of peace.
Once I tell this story: YA>. Despite not understanding much, they relaxed. Suddenly realized that his pursuers kept moving. WAS SAVED! WELL, THE KING COULD reunited with his faithful subjects, LAYING THE REBEL AND RETURN TO HIS KINGDOM. TRIUMPHANT WHEN ENTERING YOUR IBA DOMAINS AMONG THE RECOGNIZED cheering crowd the old man who had given him the BOX. Approached the man to thank and tell you how REAL was the phrase. But before he could speak, the old man said: Remember, this too shall pass.>>
CAD time I think the pain would defeat me, I remembered the story AND THOUGHT >.
While at the THIRD FLOOR OF THE TOWER OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY CLINIC COULD get to know who will work there and realize WHO WAS BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. ALWAYS STILL BE ME, Concerned that there’s nothing missing, accompanied on the nights when I could not sleep. He managed to make me laugh, THE POINT OF FEELING it hurt MANY CARCAJADA wadding.
It made the nights long, I could not sleep. For entertainment, RICARDO BROUGHT A video player. My piece, groceries, left no room to put it. BUT HOW GOOD TEACHER CHASQUILLA, RICARDO, using a rope, have pieced together HARNESS A KIND OF PLACED WHERE THE EQUIPMENT. Hanged him on the TV CEILING WAS SUSTAINED BY A SUPPORT. I was very PROFESSIONAL. Many afternoons RICARDO She stayed with me and we watched a movie together. WHEN THE SPEAKER VISITS announced that all had to leave, MY FRIENDS FLOOR NURSES-were done crazy and let us SEE END OF THE VIDEO. A MACA LS ALWAYS liked you LIKE OLD MOVIES > OR TRILOGY >, AND BROUGHT ME THESE. THE IDEA OF RICHARD HAD BEEN GREAT. He even exchange videos with another patient, LA FRANCESCA, hospitalized birth of her guaguita WAITING.
MY TEACHERS AND OTHER CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY MEDICAL Parade my room. ME EVEN VISITED THE RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY, Dr. Pedro Pablo Rosso. DIRECTIVE OF MEDICINE AND THE HEADS OF THE VARIOUS COURSES ARE COMMITTED TO HELP WITH THE GAME my refund. They, like me, believed in me.
VERGARA DOCTOR AND STILL PENDING AT ALL TIMES FOR ME. DAILY WAS GOING TO SEE ME AFTER COMPLETING THEIR WORK IN THE HOSPITAL, NO matter how late it is neither how tired he was. I loved his visits. It made me feel like I was the most important of your day. In addition to ensuring my comfort, always made me laugh with something funny copucha OR SOME DELICIOUS.
This could fill pages and pages, SHARING THE MANY signs of affection given to me. BUT I THINK ENOUGH TO SAY THAT IN ANY MINUTE I felt lonely. ME NEVER take someone, KNOWN OR NOT, YOU GIVE ME YOUR HAND and impelled me to go ahead. AND IT KEPT ME MOVING AND FIGHTING FOR recovered as quickly as possible.
THE BEGINNING OF MY BRAND REHABILITATION
FEATURES IS ONE OF MY BE VERY CONCERNED, I am continually doing new things. AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY ITEMS THAT WE HAVE IN COMMON WITH RICHARD. Always we are inventing TOURS, ACTIVITIES THAT BIND AND WE DO laugh together. NOS ENACANTA ride a bicycle in the San Cristobal hill, rafting, CLIMBING MOUNTAINS AND TEST AS STRONG EMOTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, launched in BENJI.
But my commitment remained standing, so that each day you will make something new, but were too small. These achievements made me feel very proud of myself and show that nothing is impossible if one REALLY IS AS PROPOSED. It was thus learned to use the call bell for the nurses: she took my arms and pressed his nose. I also learned to wear lip balm, pajamas, Eye Glasses and much more.
A milestone was meeting CAROLINA CASTILLO, MI OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST BECAUSE HIS AFFECTION AND INGENUITY I could reach higher goals. Every time I visit came with some new challenges. THANKS TO YOUR IDEA OF A SEAT BELT simple but ingenious in my arm, I COULD HOLD THE COVERED AND RETURN TO EAT ALONE. HARNESS THAT SAME WRITE helped me. My first words were for Richard, who at that moment was beside me. WHEN the news broke, all I ask for something, so I spent the day writing letters.
BUT THAT WAS NOT ALL. CAROLINA scissors ADAPTED AND EVEN TRIED TO HELP ME BACK TO KNITTING. IS ONE OF MY HOBBIES, I relax and my entertainment. I was very happy to know that maybe it was POSSIBLE to do it again.
MEANWHILE, my parents FIND OUT WHAT WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY FOR MY REHABILITATION. We realized THAT WAS THE BEST OUT OF CHILE, but that means SEPARATE FAMILY. We decided to do the rehabilitation combines journalism HERE AND ABROAD. PERSON WOULD BE MY POSITION IN CHILE Dr. Cristina Rigo-Righi, very prestigious physiatrist who, moreover, had contacts in several countries. WHERE AND WHEN TO RESOLVE I would leave, are left to VERGARA AND DOCTOR DOCTOR Rigo-Righi.
I continued my therapy with COTI, JAIME AND NELSON, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WITH VERY DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES BUT EQUAL OF AFFECTION AND ANXIOUS. WERE FIRST THREE TIMES DAILY AND AFTER ONLY TWO. I felt my progress, so I struggled to do more and better EXERCISES. Had greater mobility, more secure, though she was careful with every movement, and my wounds still Dolio.
WHEN WAS MOST SPECTACULAR JAIME CANDO, ONE OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, helped me to sit in a wheelchair. It was only for a little while VERY SHORT BECAUSE OF MY INJURY GLUTEAL STILL not healed completely, but enough for me to MOURN FOR JOY. WHAT PROGRESS! Had moved beyond the limitations, I felt invincible. THEN, CAD DAY I sat for a longer period, until I finally got permission to LEAVE MY PART. BREAKING THE DOOR, MY FRIENDS UNIVERSITY expecting me smile from ear to ear. I was so happy, so excited, new checks SUPPORT. We stayed a while and then had to CNVERSANDO BACK TO MY BED.
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Nothing could stop me. I would make what I set. NEXT SUNDAY attended Mass with Father Alberto Villarroel, friends of my paternal grandmother. SUNDAY went to hospital and celebrate the Eucharist at the Reception third floor, where I waited in my wheelchair.
Among the many motivations that drives me to MOVE FORWARD WAS THE BIRTH OF A BABY COMING. LA CARO, Richard’s brother, was nearly nine months pregnant. We are friends and I even had attended his ULTRASOUND AND AUTHORIZATION I had asked her obstetrician, Dr. Enrique OYARZÚN, READY IN LABOR. When I had my accident, IN ONE OF HIS VISITS THE EXPENSIVE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME YOUR guaguita IN THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FOR THAT I attend the game. How? IMMEDIATELY start planning. OBVIOUSLY SHOULD GO IN WHEELCHAIRS, BUT A HARD LABOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I can not stand so long SAT, I get tired and hurt ME FURTHER INJURY buttock. THE DATE OF HIS TERM OF PREGNANCY IS APPROACHING AND I DO NOT find the solution. WOULD NOT ATTEND be resigned to.
But again the luck was on my side. Pregnancy was prolonged for two more weeks, right up until the day that I I got permission from my doctors for entering the game. SURE THAT THE guaguita He waited for me were ready to receive. And so finally I COULD ACCOMPANY THE EXPENSIVE AND HAVE TO ANITA in my arms, seconds after birth. THEY WAS TWO VERY entertained while I was in hospital because it stays in the same floor THAT WAS IN MY ROOM. Every day we visited and taken to La Anita a while to my room. NOW I AM her godmother and we’ve grown together, because while she was born I started a new path.
EVERY MORNING, FIRST THINGS MY MOTHER DID TO ENTER MY ROOM WAS OPEN THE CURTAINS. LANDSCAPE TOGETHER TOWARDS watched the Santa Lucia Hill and the people seemed Having fun at its peak. Every day the sun rose more radiant, ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF SUMMER. SIGHT While we enjoyed the rides that we planned would when I left the hospital. WEEKS Locked in my room I found it heavy, I wanted to breathe the outside air, even missed the smog of Santiago! BUT FOR THAT OCCUR lacked a good time, I thought, SO I GOT A jumps for joy when one morning COTI, MI PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, told me to coat because we went for a WALK IN THE YARD OF THE UNIVERSITY.
WHAT WAS STRANGE AND DELICIOUS AGAIN FEEL THE WIND ON MY FACE SO COOL, CAN TRACK THE SUN AND HAVING TO MY narrowed eyes, feeling its warmth on my skin. THE COURSE WAS NOT LONG AND I take my PAPÁS, RICARDO AND CECI, my godmother, in addition to COTI. WAS so beneficial, I felt so well that I started going out as often as possible, always accompanied by someone. OBVIOUSLY WAS MY FAVORITE COMPANION RICHARD. During the tours could talk about what was EASY GOING AND HOW WE entier. Both wanted SUPPORT.
Over the week I was feeling better every day, venous lines FUI were disappeared and regain strength. EXERCISES could do new, more complex and required more physical skills. I even learned to spend ONE OF THE WHEELCHAIR TO BED: I was sitting in my chair EXPECT WHEN two auxiliaries change the sheets. TO SEE THE BED SO CLOSE, I remembered my personal commitment to learn something new and I said to myself >. Take advantage of a brief distraction OF FURNITURE, I held in the armrest of my chair and, without thinking twice, I drive for BED. Was much simpler than I thought and before I knew it was already installed. AFRAID, THE TWO AUXILIARY questions he asked me. LEARNING to screw PIQUERAS TO BED, I replied.
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I still had to undergo several operations, particularly that of my left buttock, which would be responsible RODRIGO CONTRERAS PLASTIC SURGEON. AND EACH NEW ENTRY TO THE OPERATING ROOM signify general anesthesia and venous lines FILLING AGAIN. AGAIN lay prostrate, unable to rise, it felt like a step backwards in my rehabilitation. Then she remembered something she had said LUIS WINTER, THE LORD who had lost his leg in an accident: >. After each operation, try to be more patient and THINK THE WORDS OF THE LORD IN WINTER.
WEEKS WERE GOING WELL AND, IN SPITE OF OPERATIONS, I was feeling better and better.
Until finally, VERGARA DOCTOR STARTED TO TALK ABOUT A POSSIBLE HIGH.
The countdown.
It had only been five weeks since my accident and it was incredible how good I felt and how much they had advanced. Although my HERIDS YET FULLY healed, I wonder FRONT HEALING POWER OF HUMAN BEING.
VERGARA ME DOCTOR dressing changes periodically, AIDED BY ANDREA expert nurses in CURES. THANKS TO THEM THOSE black areas, it seemed that would never heal, were converted into crusts. These are then DESPDENDIERON SKIN APPEARED AND UNDER NEW, PINK, completely healthy. The doctor announced that the cures could continue DONE AT HOME, SO SOON COULD GO ME HIGH! Until that day the weeks I had spent flying, but the fact of knowing that soon would be back home with my family made the days I was done forever. TODAY WILL I thought. N THE OTHER my impatience, and how I felt pretty well, VERGARA DOCTOR GAVE ME THE NEWS:
– NEXT SUNDAY LUNCH IN YOUR HOUSE AND WILL COME BACK AT DUSK.
GO TO MY HOUSE! THE FELT SO FAR FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THINK THAT WOULD BE IN A FEW DAYS THERE AGAIN. ALL MY FAMILY IMMEDIATELY took action. WHAT DO YOU WANT LUNCH? Want CONVIDADO SOMEONE ELSE?
WAS STRANGE TO DISCONTINUE USE clothes. I chose a LONG SKIRT flowers in shades of pink and light blue with a T-shirt THREE OF FOUR WHITE PANTS WINTER. ORDERED ME A NURSE IN A TAIL HAIR. When my dad came to pick me my mom and me BOTH were eager and cheerful.
The drive, ATROVESANDO Plaza Italia, up APOQUINDO BY PROVIDENCE AND THEN, A ROUTE DONE MANY TIMES, I now seemed magical. SEE OTHER CARS, TREES, PEOPLE IN THE STREETS AND AN ACTIVITY THAT HAD I HAD FORGOTTEN feel alive, happy and FULL. YES, she was happy to continue living.
BEND TO GEORGE VI, my street, I felt a knot in my stomach. Everything seemed so calm, so equal. My dad came THE ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE CHAIR WITHOUT PROBLEMS. Then I picked her up and sat down. I SAW THAT TIME IS NOW RAFAEL JOSE IGNACIO OUT OF THE HOUSE, FOLLOWED BY CRISTIÁN, MARTIN, RICHARD, AND PAULA, POLOLA of Cristian. They were all smiled and applauded.
– VIVA! VIVA, DANI! – GRIT RAFAEL.
“Welcome home,” said Jose Ignacio, tried to take the series.
MADE ME FEEL LIKE A MISS UNIVERSE. And I went SURROUNDING OF THAT PEACE THAT COMES ONLY WHEN ONE IS AT YOUR OWN HOME.
WAS nice to be there again, but also difficult. HOW circumstances had changed … THE HOUSE HAD BEEN ENGINEERED WITH RAMPS, my room was transferred from the second floor to the room BEFORE THE DESK OUT OF MY DAD. In every detail, even in the slightest, I Guess the love for me. WHAT IF THINGS HAD BEEN MY FAMILY IT WAS NOT SO GREAT?
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SINCE THE ENTRY CAN SMELL MY FAVORITE DISH: LASAGNA! LUNCH EVERY MEETING AGAIN, THERE WERE PURE laughing and joking as if nothing had changed. I managed EATING WELL WITH SUPER SINGLE HARNESS devised by LA CAROLINA, MI Occupational Therapist.
Tired from all the excitement, Dormi SIESTA IN THE BED OF MY PARENTS and relax as I had not done in a long time.
AFTERNOON returned to the hospital without penalty. Is very close, MAYBE ONE DAY ONLY, DEFINITELY COMING BACK TO MY HOME.
The next afternoon, only just broke, I asked the doctor if I could VERGARA GIVE ME THE OPEN.
-No, sorry, “he replied. YOUR TIPS THAT WILL OPERATE AGAIN.
I mean that there were some small areas on my left arm and right leg completely healed WERE NOT GOOD. So I preferred to re-enter the pass on SOME NEW FLAG FOR STITCHES.
WHY had warned me? Or was that I had wanted to hear? What a disappointment and what stress ENTER AN OPERATING ROOM AGAIN, WAKE Aching in my hospital bed, unable to move A LOT. BUT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO.
FEW DAYS LATER RECOVERED SOME OF THIS ACTION, decided to use MY LAST DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR PERFORMING SOMETHING had long PLANNING. One afternoon after lunch. Call them to get help dress in street clothes, arrange and go over to the wheelchair. Classrooms in CLSES I HAVE ARE THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS THE HOSPITAL, SO I ASKED YOU TO THE ASSISTANT MANAGING THE CHAIR TO THEM THAT directs. I COULD GET TO SEE MANY classmates in conversation in the yard. A As I approached LOSSES aware of my presence and fills me with hugs and kisses. I’ve never received so much love together.
– WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? – QUESTIONS.
“I came to class with you” he replied.
Fought over push my chair, sat down beside me. WHAT EMOTION be back in my classroom, surrounded by my comrades, COULD NOT BE QUIET or streets. The concentration of all was nil, but the doctor who gave the class was very understanding.
TIME FINISHED PART I went back, not without first thanking supported my compañeros and reiterated that, although he was not with them, always were going to be >. LATER THAT ANYONE COULD FACE DELA pump my SMILE.
NEXT SUNDAY I WAS ALSO AUTHORIZED TO DISCHARGE AND USE TO GO TO MASS WITH FATHER FELIPE Berrio and surprise her. It was tremendous EMOTION NEW SENSE OF AFFECTION OF ALL PEOPLE. Then we headed home. SHARE another delicious lunch prepared by MY MOTHER, Charles and then returned to the HOSPITAL. WHAT WERE THESE MAJOR DEPARTURES; gave me strength and courage to continue.
One month HOSPITAL AND THE DOCTOR ME VERGARA ad I COULD GO TO THE NEXT DAY HIGH. POR FIN! BUT MY HEART LOADED feelings. FOR SURE, go home, be with my family, was what he loved most. FURTHER was very proud of myself, have successfully completed the first stage. BUT WHAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO WHAT came over me?, THOUGHT Afraid. AS TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL, THE PART THAT HAD BEEN MY REFUGE FOR SIX WEEKS, THE LINKS OF FRIENDSHIP FORMED WITH AFFECTION AND CARE ABOUT ME …
The move was similar to a MOVE: MANY GIFTS, SOUVENIRS, LETTERS. It takes three travel by car.
THE TESTIMONY OF ELEANOR.
AMID THE HORROR THAT LIVED IN RANCAGUA OCTOBER 30, TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL UC feel some relief; was like being in our house, there studied DANIELA AND MY HUSBAND WORKS.
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Placed in a UCI PART OF THE SURGICAL AND ANGUISH IS OUR Center at the time he woke up. HOW would tell him what had happened? COULD MAYBE a psychologist or a psychiatrist helped TRANCE TO THAT? EN FIN, ASLEEP YET TO SEE IT WITH MY HUSBAND WE WERE RACING home to change clothes and pick up some things. HAD TO PREPARE FOR A LONG been in the hospital.
Way back along the waterfront to the hospital when I heard the cell phone. It was our son Cristian.
– Hurry-NOS said. THE DANI awoke and asked for you. You know what happened to him.
HOW DO I find? ONLY prayed that the miracle of being alive LETS SETTLE FOR THEIR LOSSES. BY THE FRIENDS WE had grown HAD AN IDEA OF HOW WAS THE FALL OF THE TRAIN. Yes, it was a miracle that he had not died.
FEAR “ENTER YOUR PIECE AND DANIELA found our radiant. He embraced us endlessly repeat what WE WANT. He told us who had struggled to meet again and did not mean to die on the track. She had fought to survive and I had done it alone. WAS A SUCCESS!
FIND WHAT immense happiness which remained the same girl, had not been harmed in their mental faculties. I could only Thank God for his goodness. ALSO THROUGH THE DOCTORS AND JORGE VERGARA CRISTINA RIGO-RIGHI LATTER physiatrists and team members who treat our daughter, she began to hear the words REHABILITATION, FUTURE, HOPE.
FAMILY, FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF THE CORRIDORS coparon DANIELA makes it difficult ICU STAFF, WHO, Compend THE SITUATION, take a break while standards. THE STORY OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE WONDERFUL COURAGE TO ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO sees him. COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH STRENGTH, SPIRIT AND MANIFEST will to fight.
THAT NIGHT, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, ALL SAINTS DAY, WILL BE DONE AT A NEW SURGERY DANIELA. DOCTORS works five hours repairing and cleaning the stumps, SO THAT IN THE FUTURE COULD RECEIVE PROSTHESIS.
LEAVING THE FLAG DANIELA was restless, you could see that bothers Casts and began to suffer severe pain. GIVEN MORPHINE but unfortunately the opposite effect DID YOU FURTHER nauseous. Heart sank WE SEE THE SUFFERING! IT WAS ENOUGH WITH ALL THAT HAD PASSED. Was a terrible night.
EARLY IN THE MORNING, BUT WILL CONTINUE WITH LESS PAIN INCONVENIENT. It was decided to prohibit visits to a different type of painkiller. Casts on arms and legs you mind and found no sleep positions.
WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY CHILDREN BEING took turns to Daniel and treat scores of relatives and friends who were still arriving. HOW MANY TIMES WE HAD TO REPEAT THE HISTORY OF THE ACCIDENT? Do not know. THE PILGRIMAGE was continuous and no one came empty-handed: DRAWINGS, CARDS, TOYS FOR MY DAUGHTER. HE SAID MASS AND STARTED prayer chain. Our cell phones rang constantly.
WELL NOT REDUCE THE RISK VITAL WORK BEGAN Physiotherapy. At his side, and from the beginning, remained RICARDO STRUBE, his girlfriend. DANIELA it will implement immediately to this new situation. IS THIS TEST, affect your relationship?
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 OUR daughter dropped UCI and was transferred to a piece of UC CLINIC. ENOUGH HOW TO THANK THE STAFF OF ICU? NEVER forget his love and patience.
From the first night, news of the crash was of interest to THE PRESS AND dor-law, lawyer Jose Miguel NALDA, HAD TO GIVE SOME FACTS. THREE DAYS LATER, TO be removed from the ICU, WE HAD TO DIVERT THE COURSE FOR avoid reporters. Our anger was huge, IN A television channel had heard statements FEROCARRILES OFFICIALS (AFP): >.
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THIS caused outrage among anyone who knows our DAUGHTER. Send letters to newspapers, even at school where he studied, offered to provide REPORTS OF HIS CONDUCT TO COUNTER THESE Infamy. Did not they RAILWAYS OF THE NEW ACCOUNT THAT DAMAGE inflicted?
We advertise AN EVENING OF RAIL SOMEONE came to see us. WHAT COULD WE WANT THEM cause so much harm? My wife is going out and confront the person, but Daniel wanted to receive in his room. SHE WANTED TO BE PRESENT.
NICHOLAS Flan, AT THAT TIME THE CHAIRMAN OF EFE, ENTERED THE ROOM. I CAN NOT DENY THAT THE IRA consumed me. WHEN WE GAVE THE HAND TO MY husband and I, showing the arm in a cast of Daniel, told him: >. An attitude of respect, FLAN MAN DID WE KNOW THAT HE WAS OUT OF CHILE TO THE TIME OF ACCIDENT, REASON FOR THE NEWLY was present. Our daughter, showing great fortitude, said that he wished to clarify that no drink or do drugs. Had fallen to cross from one wagon to another and THAT could happen to someone else. Only asked not repeated. MR, visibly shaken, responded that he believed and that would worry that we do not LIKE TO BE AN ACCIDENT. Although he knew the criminal complaint brought against the STATE RAILWAY COMPANY, THE LORD FLAN DANIELA I wish the best and he apologized, INDEPENDENT OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE COURTS. Two days later, and although he presented fever due to a lung infection, Daniela should give STATEMENT FROM RESEARCH AND OFFICERS OF THE COURTS OF RANCAGUA. I was exhausted and felt terrible.
FEW DAYS AFTER HE CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF BACTERIA OF VERY CAREFULLY. FORTUNATELY, thanks to the diligence of Dr. Carlos Perez, Infectólogo THE CATHOLIC HOSPITAL was treated with a specific antibiotic WAS CONTROLLED AND INFECTION.
SE Constraining DANIELA VISITS AND SMALL began learning tricks like a spoon with a AFFIRM ELASTIC. This helped us opening up a world to rehabilitation. HOW WOULD BE DEPENDENT DANIELA? I was willing to become His hands and legs if need be.
NEW DOLORES soon appeared, at times so strong that it shook DANIELA MEMBERSHIP. NERVES CUT sends impulses he felt as electrical current. PAIN MEDICINE not calm. I stood by ELLA, praying, praying he could rest. How much more would have to suffer?
WE WERE WE used to the routine. MEETINGS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, an occupational therapist, physiatrist and orthopedic LA. PARTICIPATION OF SANTANDER JAIME PSYCHIATRIST was instrumental in the early days. VERGARA WITH WORRY DOCTOR TO TREAT PAIN AND GIVE SOME DRUGS THAT MAKE THE DREAM. All were careful to ensure that there is a DEPRESSION, SO SAW A DOCTOR SANTANDER DANIELA fortnight. But she never become significantly depressed.
Meanwhile, we were the prosecution. HE MADE THE REHABILITATION OF THE ACCIDENT SCENE. THE CARS INVOLVED WITH LOCOMOTIVE arrived long after the scheduled time. WITNESSES, mostly students, were surprised to see a lot of liquor bottles. “Who had put them there? SPACE BY DANIELA where he had fallen and had been photographed by a boy, appeared covered with a FIXED AND PLATFORM. HE ASKS A STUDY OF EXPERTS, who later was modified RATIFIED THE EVIDENCE. It was so crass as AFFECTED VEHICLES THAT HAD BEEN SAVED IN THE SHOPS FOR RAILWAYS. How different was the attitude of Nicolas Flan, Chairman of EFE, COMPARED TO THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
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AT LEAST ACCOMPLISHED SUSPENDING TRIPS TO TEMUCO, TO REVISE THEIR SAFETY.
BEGINNING THE MONTH OF MARY AND I asked in prayer FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR DAUGHTER. Perhaps we listen because PRONTO L SITTING IN A WHEELCHAIR. THE FIRST DAY COULD down the hall and then left into a small courtyard to get some air. At first it was hard to endure the stares of THE PEOPLE. “As he used to look so DIFFERENT? He solved DANIELA addressed to each person a big smile. THE BEAUTY OF THIS GESTURE broke any ICE.
Following the accident of Daniel and subsequent investigations, it was learned that THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS HAD TEMUCO been declared unsafe by a previous study. It must have been discharged sooner. Acknowledgment was LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY IN THE ACCIDENT. Everything could have been avoided if appropriate action had been taken.
Two managers had to leave their posts; THE CHAIRMAN, NICHOLAS Flan, WANTED TO MAKE BIG CHANGES. Paradoxically, it also was asked to WAIVE HIM AND THE REST OF DIRECTORS. The person who took RESPONSIBILITY AND WANTED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CASE WAS removed from office. Difficult to understand.
CITY OF SANTIAGO tell us that ESA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HONOR Community wished to Daniel for the courage shown. SAME Santiago Mayor Joaquin Lavin, visit Daniel in the hospital and said the city Awarded Medal of Merit, awarded distinguished DESTACADS PEOPLE. DANIELA is moved and became very happy. LET THE HOSPITAL WHEN DELIVERY WOULD BE OFFICIAL.
DESPITE ALL THE SUPPORT AND CARE, THE MIND OF CHANGING ERA DANIELA; PASABA PENALTIES FOR JOY. HE SPOKE OF REHABILITATION AND PROSTHETICS, BUT SHE HAD WE NOR ANY experiences. The good news was that the healing of the stumps PROGRESA was forming new skin. The doctors were more optimistic.
TIME IN HOSPITAL ETERNAL was made. ME TO BE HOSTED ON THE SIDE OF OUR DAUGHTER, resented the ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE. They spent a lot MINOR CHILDREN ALONE. WHAT WOULD BE THE COST TO THE FAMILY would pay for this? He wanted to return home soon and for that they were doing the necessary modifications, such as ramps for the wheelchair. THE DESK OF MY HUSBAND TURNS INTO THE BEDROOM AND ADAPTED DANIELA a special bath.
Nevertheless, there came a great uncertainty. DANIELA CARE was not easy. WHEN THE SHOWER FOR THE FIRST TIME, SUBJECT TO TWO AUXILIARY, she wept with emotion when BACK TO FEEL THE WATER ON YOUR SKIN. WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE TOILETS WITH SPONGE. BUT HAD to bathe that cover and protect wounds. Would I be able to do that alone? DANIELA as an adult, had closed years ago PRIVACY OF YOUR DOOR, INCLUDING ME. Break into ESA HOW PRIVACY Not bothering? Decides to hire a nurse’s aide FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HOUSE. WOULD BE A TRANSITION TO ADAPT TO CHANGE. The psychiatrist, Dr. Jaime SANTANDER, worked with her that. Not only had lost their hands and legs, but also its independence.
AS A WAY TO GO preparing for a return, the doctors authorized Daniel to SPEND A SUNDAY AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY. MY HUSBAND picked us up in the car. When I had made some streets, Daniel, who had been silent, looking out, exclaimed RICO WHAT IS BEING ALIVE! That phrase, SAID FROM THE HEART, fills us with joy. NOTWITHSTANDING THE VICTIM, worth living.
OUR SECOND EXIT WAS THE DECEMBER 8, DAY OF THE VIRGIN. We went to MISA CON DANIELA AL COLEGIO SAN IGNACIO DEL BOSQUE. FATHER FELIPE INFORMAL Berrios of whom Daniel had become friends. When finished, the priest carried the wheelchair hsta DANIELA IMAGE OF THE VIRGIN PRAYING FOR THE CLOSING OF THE MONTH OF MARY. AT THAT TIME I COULD NOT CONTROL THE TEARS. ALL THE EMOTION CONTAINED so long to overflow.
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In mid-December, finally was discharged DANIELA. Was a moment of great emotion. THE FURNITURE AND NURSES accompanied my daughter to the car and she LES provided to all a letter with great effort and much affection.
Thus ended a difficult period. Now he must face the real world, WITH A DIFFERENT DANIELA. LIFE WOULD BE DIFFERENT AND HAD TO LEARN TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF OBSTACLES. I had no idea how. DISABILITY WORLD NOS was completely out. ONLY AID AND EXPERIENCE OF PHYSICIAN guided us. TEST COULD OVERCOME was coming?
One thing was clear: Daniel could not wait for years begun to rehabilitate. WITH SAVINGS, LOANS AND AID friends started to pay for treatment. I wanted the best technology, And that meant going to America.
DANIELA DOCTORS OF CONTACTS MADE to receive it and assisted by the MOSS REHAB INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA, USA. EXCELLENT REFERENCES OTHER THAN THE PLACE, WE HAD FRIENDS IN THIS CITY.
ENTER A BATTLE WITH COURT WAS GOING TO BE ETERNAL RAILWAY REHABILITATION AND DANIELA was urgent. TAKING THE BUDGETS OF HAND PROSTHESES we found that bucks are handled were exorbitant. PRO ESO decided to opt for an extrajudicial settlement.
After several months of talks in TRE OUR LAWYERS AND THE RAILWAY ARE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM MONEY. So we could settle debts and pay off loans. Hopefully this ends meet TREATMENT FOR LIFE TO BE RECEIVE OUR DAUGHTER.
PREPARING THE FIRST TRIP.
I CAME TO MY HOUSE MEDIADIOS DECEMBER, JUST IN TIME TO MEET TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF MY MOTHER. COULD NOT GOING TO BUY A GIFT AND A TASK WE MARTIN A hands-free headset for your phone. SHE HAS ALWAYS gets complicated when you answer, especially if you’re DRIVING, so I thought would be useful QUEL. DECEMBER 17 THAT A LOT OF RELATIVES CAME TO HEALTHY. THINK ONLY A FEW DAYS BEFORE I WAS HOSPITALIZED!
He decided the place for me REHABILITATION. Examining all the alternatives, we chose very prestigious CENTER, MOSS REHAB INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA, USA. THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS PLACE WERE MY PHYSICIAN, Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, THE DOCTOR KNEW Rigo-Righi, MI physiatrist, SO IT WOULD BE EASIER COMMUNICATION. Moreover, this city was A couple of friends of my parents, who could help you find a place to stay. I would go to INSTITUTE ALL DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, BUT NOT NEEDED lodged there. FREE TIME WOULD, LIKE MY PAPÁS and hopefully one of my brothers, former U.S.. Break in February, once my WOUNDS OVER scar. PHILADELPHIA ALREDEDRO SHOULD REMAIN IN SIX WEEKS.
ACCUSTOMED COST ME AGAIN TO MY HOUSE, HOW circumstances had changed! But no doubt I felt content and tries to regain my life where I had left. HARTO SALIA Richard, went to the movies, shopping, me along with my friends. WAS NOT EASY BUT ME AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. TO BE FELT IN A PUBLIC PLACE All eyes contact me. TRIED TO MAKE AS IF I DO NOT CARE, BUT it was almost impossible. They looked at me for being different AND THOSE It hurt. Would you quit ever impinged?
I still depended on MY MOTHER FOR ALL, THE POOR WAS SOLD. So to alleviate domestic workers were engaged to Julie, a nursing assistant. WAS patient and loving, but still I need to go gradually regaining my independence, so I endeavored to make EVERYTHING ONE COULD. UNUSUAL WAS BEFORE ME THAT WHAT WAS AS EASY AS bathe or dresses NOW be as complicated. BUT I realized that with practice were becoming more manageable. To transfer ONLY LEARNED TO WHEELCHAIR, but the problem was he could not move, so someone had to call one of my brothers to take me where he tried to IR. Continued using INVENTED BY CAROLINA CASTILLO HARNESS TO EAT AND WRITE, AND EVERY TIME I grew more proficient.
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SAMPLES OF AFFECTION kept coming. AS IT WILL accrue to Christmas cards, gifts, gingersnaps, HOW MUCH OF FRIENDS unknown persons. ALMOST DISAPPEARED BEHIND THE TREE OF PACKAGES. That Linda was spending Christmas with my family! THE New Year was particularly touching. Celebrates not only the arrival of 2003, BUT ALSO OUR ANNIVERSARY WITH RICHARD: served three years in courtship. On each anniversary REGALADO ME SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME, ME SOMETHING LIKE THAT MOST VALUABLE IN A STORE BOUGHT. BUT WHAT COULD YOU DO NOW? I thought about it for days. HAD TO POWER! FINALLY SOME PICTURES YOU ELECT OUR GATHER IN A SHEET and write a letter. Not much, but Richard was able to recognize my efforts and He was very happy.
WHILE STILL DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION OF RAILWAY, my rehabilitation I could not wait a minute. EVERY DAY OR NOT MOVE MUCH LYING meant losing MUSCLE AND STRENGTH. SO THE DOCTOR AND THE DOCTOR VERGARA RIGO-RIGHI ME TO ORGANIZE A YEARS TIME. HE SHOULD GO TO MEDICAL CENTER DAILY SAN JORGE, BELONGING TO THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, AND THREE TIMES PER WEEK TO THE CENTER OF THE TELETÓN, EXCLUDING THE WORK ON MY ACCOUNT IN THE HOUSE. He demanded I at its peak and although usually ends up depleting, KNOW MY EFFORT depended my future. That gave me MIND, AS WELL AS TO SEE HOW TO IMPROVE MY WOUNDS. ANDREA AND THE DOCTOR VERGARA came every three or four days to make me CURES.
The nights were The hardest part. THE MORE TIRED WAS, WERE MORE FUET LIMB PAIN. And how to end SOLD OUT EVERY DAY, NIGHT DID NOT BREAK. INTENSITY pain was unbearable and broke with all my convictions to succeed. The pain take over. He turned the SAME questions unanswered: What had she done to deserve something like? Was it my fault? WHY DID NOT MY HANDS AND ME? AND MY LEGS! NEVER AGAIN would be able to dance, jump or run! FINALLY fell asleep. AND THE NEXT DAY, AND WITHOUT PAIN, again my desire to give in NO.
Every afternoon ME MY MOTHER WAS GOING TO LEAVE SAN JORGE. He walked JULIE AND AS THE CENTER IS JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE, PIE us again. She pushed WHILE I USE MY SEAT TRACK WITH TREES AND ITS WONDERS diversity and beauty. I WORKED IN THE CENTER WITH A CALL KINESIOLOG angel and not only to progress much with it, but we also laughed ENOUGH. STILL exercise routine focuses on improving my muscular strength. ABDOMINAL DID IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS AND THEN I WILL MY TIPS FOR WEIGHT remove them. Also works with some PULLEY MACHINERY AND, SOMETIMES, they used a plastic ball GIANT. HAD TO SIT ON IT AND KEEP MY BALANCE.
– THE BALANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO PRUNE WITH PROSTHESIS-repeated stand up ANGÉLICA.
FUI progress every day. EVERY TIME COULD support more weight than, the routine became easier to me and I got tired LESS.
MEETINGS on the Telethon, HOWEVER, WERE DIFFICULT. At first I was in a strange world, UNKNOWN. I readily agreed that I was now part of it. BUT soon overcame that impression and I could see the immense beauty of the place. I was VERY WELCOME, THERE IS BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, EVERY CHILD HAS A HISTORY AND ALWAYS LINDA JOY AND LAUGHTER. AND MY PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, SEBASTIAN, despite being a very demanding, DID NOT LOOK ME perform at one hundred percent. The workout was very similar to which he made with ANGEL, BUT WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ANY ACOMPAÑDA child dying of desire to talk.
During an off day, with my parents ACHIEVEMENT MAKE A VISIT TO RANCAGUA to personally thank EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME TO LIVE. Went to the hospital and can also met Ricardo Morales, the person I met on the tracks and saved my life. AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY LINDA. Emotion was indescribable. THEREFORE, I felt that my words were inadequate to express my gratitude towards everyone.
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And so, between EXERCISES AND SOCIAL LIFE, HE WAS APPROACHING THE STARTING DATE OF OUR PHILADELPHIA. Tempers MIS. Had done its utmost ME, BUT WHAT IF IT WAS NOT ENOUGH, IF was well prepared and decided to send back? VOLVEL I ALREADY WANT TO WALK!
ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA AND MOSS REHAB INSTITUTE.
When my sister twins and I was four and Martin two, my Dad received a scholarship to RADIOLOGY CHILDREN OF NEW HAVEN, USA. LIVE THERE FOR TWO YEARS, which allowed us to my brothers and me to learn English. Back in Chile, We enrolled in a bilingual school for not to waste the language. THANKS TO ME NOW THAT would be able to communicate seamlessly with PEOPLE’S REHABILITATION CENTER.
NEW HAVEN EVEN MY DAD HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILE A GREAT FRIENDSHIP WITH YOUR BOSS, MARC KELLER. In Chile, invites you to come and give lectures on RADIOLOGY CHILDREN SEVERAL TIMES. CHERYL how we met her Lord and her two daughters. LIVED IN PHILADELPHIA AND NOW, THE KNOW MY MY ACCIDENT AND THERAPY IN MOSS, say that we stay with them.
In late January we flew to Philadelphia, my mother, my Dad, my brother Martin and myself. WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE REST OF THE FAMILY IN CHILE WITH SPECIAL TWO BROTHERS TO MY KIDS. Was on vacation and would happen would be the first U.S. APART FROM PARENTS. FOR SOME NON SUPL, FAMILY AND FRIENDS We will organize LANDSCAPES: IDAS TO THE BEACH, THE FIELD OR OTHER RIDES THE DAY. MARTIN, by not having a girlfriend, as Christian, I decided to join us. I was very happy when I heard.
I’ve never been afraid of planes, but this time IBA Frightened, TERROR HAD HAPPEN TO ME SOMETHING ELSE. HARTO COST ME RELAX, but eventually I fell asleep.
It landed without problem PHILADELPHIA AND HOPE THAT ALL PASSENGERS will come down before us. Was when I saw a thin young APPROACH OF brown hair. TOLD ME SMILING IN ENGLISH:
– HELLO, I AM MARY LUCAS AND WORK IN MOSS. I’ve communicated with your dad BY MAIL AND VINE to welcome them. PASARTE NEED HELP FOR THIS WHEELCHAIR?
Although he seemed very nice and SINCERA, I could not help feeling that I WAS ALSO EVALUATING AND TURNED MY FEAR that I was not sufficiently prepared. SO I decided that as it may, I HAD TO MOVE ONE TO THIS CHAIR. I climbed in the seat, jumped on the armrest and finally succeeded. THEN LED BY MARY, WE WERE TO LOOK FOR OUR BAGS. On the way told me that two days after I had an appointment with Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, physiatrists that was to take care of ME.
– Profiting by them TOURS BY MOSS REHAB INSTITUTE “he added.
WHILE I WAS TALKING looking around. So many people picked up their PACKAGE FOR LIVELY WITH SOME FAMILY MEETINGS. MY OTHER TRAVEL RECORD, always with the sole purpose of fun. NOW was so different, my future was at stake.
THE AMOUNT OF DATA THAT GAVE ME MARY beyond me. ALSO, I still had to think carefully about every word I left my English is not fluid. Hard time continuing ME THE PACE BUT DESPITE THAT, ACCOMPLISHED Excited SO THAT PLACE YOU TALKED.
Finally got our luggage, we said goodbye to MARY AND TAKE A TAXI. NEVADA CITY CROSS and out into the suburbs.
– THIS IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMES TO YOU IN ENGLISH informed us the driver.
FOLLOWING THE MAP PROVIDED BY STREET KELLER we were recognized. WAS A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD, GREAT HOUSE AND VERY well groomed.
– I THINK THAT IS THE HOUSE “said the driver points to a CANVAS.
He looked very LINDA ON SMALL LE Snow Hill. Its color is accented with white DAMASCUS THAT SURROUNDED. SIZE ME IMPRESSED seemed a mansion.
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As we descended our stuff, Marc and Cheryl came out to greet and Help. ENTER TO CHECK THAT THE HOUSE WAS SO BY LINDA inside and out. Had two floors, EVERYTHING WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND IS DECORATED WITH GREAT TASTE. TWO DAUGHTERS OF KELLER no longer lived with them despite being almost my age. The United States used to having children, when back from school, to go to live alone, closer to study.
THE BEDROOM OF MARC AND CHERYL WAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR, SO the entire second floor was for us. The piece that I share with Martin was BEAUTIFUL; OF A YELLOW CAKE, WITH STORAGE IN THE FORM OF A HAND PAINTED ENREDADERA. MY BED SEEMED THAT OF A PRINCESS: A FRAME WITH METAL FORMING A BEAUTIFUL FIGURE AND MANY cushions embroidered in green and white. Martin’s, opposite me, was more improvisers, but not these less comfortable. It consisted of a double mattress with a blanket patchwork. NO remembered the last time he had slept in the same room.
Installed, think that not the most luxurious HOTELS COULD BE SO NICE. That made me happy not only for myself but for my parents and by Martin. We were in an unfamiliar city, anxious and fearful of what awaits us. HOSPITALITY AND WARMTH OF KELLER WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO REDUCE OUR ANGUISH.
I could hardly sleep the night before my interview with Dr. Esquenazi IN MOSS. My fear was not in a position PROSTHESIS TO USE AND tell me what would have to return in a few months. The next morning we woke up early. Would all TO THE MEETING IN ORDER THAT loan agreements. THE TRIP WAS MADE ETERNAL, despite my fascination of seeing the snowy streets SURPRISE AND SPEND THE SANTIAGO torrid sub-zero temperatures.
With my father at the wheel, crossed the city to the hospital, located in a quite neighborhood differently from Keller. Dirty and dark, with houses that maybe in their time were good but now crumbling. AMID all this chaos LUCIA IMPOSING THE HOSPITAL. Later I learned Cheese MOSS WAS NOT THE ALBERT EINSTEIN. MOSS SE EONCONTRABA ERA on the side and a lot smaller.
Upon arrival, my dad gave the keys to the Charge parking of vehicles. We all go TOGETHER. Despite my nerves, I was surprised BUILDING. Was this a hospital? HAPPY PAINTING COLORS AND PICTURES OR LOBBY DECORATED WITH BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. Later I learned that made PATIENTS OF THE INSTITUTE. MANY people came and went, BUT all wore clothes. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLASSIC white aprons?
IN THE RECEPTION TWO very kind lady invited us to sit ADVISED WHILE LUCAS MARY OUR ARRIVAL. A few minutes later emerged smiling. WE going to get along, I thought to myself.
– We have time. Want to know PORTION OF THE PROPOSED INSTITUTE-NOS.
He said he had consisted of four floors. PATIENT WAS THE LAST AMPUTEES, so we headed there. In the wide-entered without LIFTS WHEELCHAIRS SEVERAL PROBLEMS.
THE FOURTH FLOOR LMISMA STILL THE REST OF THE HOSPITAL AESTHETICS. TO THE GROUND WAS WHITE AND ORANGE! MARY WE SHOWED THE GYM FOR YEARS, THE DINING ROOMS AND OTHER THERAPY. The place was very nice and cozy, but I remember I was shocked to see patients. Were much older than I, AND WHAT THEIR impressed me most sad faces; None smiled.
A TIME FOR APPOINTMENT WITH THE DOCTOR Esquenazi, Mary leads us to his office. THE DOCTOR WE WAITING AT THE DOOR. Was a man of middle age, thin, dark mustache BIG. I did not notice ANYTHING MORE BECAUSE MY VIEW stuck in his left arm: HAND INSTEAD OF THE DOCTOR HAD A HOOK. I was very impressed, was the first time I saw a PROSTHETICS WELL. ON THE OTHER HAND, I felt calmer. This doctor could understand.
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To my surprise, appeared SPEAKING SPANISH. He told us he was Mexican BUT for many years lived in the U.S.. He asked me to lie on a table. CHECK MY WOUND HEALING AND FOUND THAT went well. MIDI FUEZA AFTER THE MUSCLE OF MY LIMBS. HOW TO SAY WHAT I endeavored to demonstrate all that he could do. Then I explain what FIRST GOALS FOR THIS TRIP.
Prosthesis would make some for my legs, with which they would learn to walk again. ARMS FOR USER hooks similar to yours. Is the system easier to learn, he said. On a second trip-a few months later-I would be PERMANENT legs, MADE RESISTANT MATERIALS, AND A FEW MORE AESTHETIC PROSTHETICS FOR ARMS WITH SHAPE OF HANDS. AS THE DOCTOR SPOKE Esquenazi, ME FUI Relaxed. HAD PASSED THE FIRST TEST! DO NOT send me back to Chile, all my efforts had been worth.
Before leaving, Esquenazi DOCTOR looked at me sympathetically and said something that I never forgot And try to remember every time I’m sad: >.
WHILE accompanied us to the DEP, was explained MARY ME MY WORK MORE DETAILS. IRIA MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SCHEDULE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A VERY SIMILAR TO A COLLEGE. My time is divided into what we call PHYSICAL THERAPY, WHERE would help me to walk again, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, WHICH learn how to use my arms prostheses; AND RECREATIONAL THERAPY THAT did not really understand what it was.
THE REST OF THE DAY, IN THE HOUSE OF THE KELLER, I could not stay quiet; HAD TOO MANY WANT TO START TO WORK AS DESCRIBED MARY HAD ME. I played around with COCONUT, THE MALTESE PUPPY OF KELLER, but my mind was elsewhere. I HAVE SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE TO DO WITH ALL THIS Energy decided. And my thoughts went to RICHARD. He recalled that for Christmas gave me a notebook.
– TO WRITE YOUR STORY – I mean.
In the bustle before the trip I had not THOUGHT IN THE PRESENT AND YOUR REQUEST. WOULD BE GOOD TO WRITE WHAT I’VE LIVED, I will not forget, REFLECTIONS. THIS IS WHAT I asked my mom to bring me my harness with a pencil and the ideas started to emerge with great fluency. And I long to dedicate my first WRITE LINES TO RICHARD.
On 30 October was the day we were going TO JIM DE TEMUCO …>>
Before I knew it I had already written more than three leaves. I never imagined that one day these would become PAGES BOOK.
THE BEGINNING OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
WOKE UP HAPPY. MY TRUE finally began REHABILITATION, ESA QUE me back my hands and my legs. Joining me AGAIN THE WHOLE FAMILY TO MOSS. TO MY SCHEDULE, FIRST MEET MATT WAS ONE OF THE INSTITUTE OF PROSTHESIS. WE EXPECTED IN A SMALL ROOM FIRST FLOOR, AND IT WAS NICE TO MEET A YOUNG SMILING, tall, light hair. HE WAS THE CHARGE OF MY PROSTHESIS HACERME said, for which I need to take plaster casts of my four-TIPS.
– What are you laughing? – Asked while preparing the elements.
I told him that I remembered a practical step TRAUMATOLOGÍA COURSE Where was get a cast on one arm ORTHOPEDIC OTHERS. HOW WAS THE FIRST TIME I did something WELL, IT WAS VERY FUNNY AS HE LEFT THE GYPSUM DEFORMES AND FOREIGNERS who were ARMS.
– THESE YOU WILL BE A LITTLE BETTER MATT “You’re joking.
THEN he said something that astounded me.
– YOUR ARMS WILL take a while, but in two days will be ready LEGS FOR THE FIRST TEST.
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ONLY TWO DAYS! Look at my parents and my sister. I could not believe. IN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS WOULD I GET MY NEW LEGS AND MAY BEGIN TO PRACTICE WITH THEM. Emotion prevented me from speaking.
My schedule indicated that it should DIRECTED TO PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THE FOURTH FLOOR. AGAIN WITH THE TAIL GARCIA FAMILY reached a GYM HUGE, much bigger than I thought. THE MATS WERE NOT at ground level, BUT ON A SURFACE OF WOOD JUST THE HEIGHT OF THE WHEELCHAIR. ALSO HAD GREAT BALLS, WEIGHTS, AND PARALLEL MACHINES reminded me of the Angel, SEBASTIAN AND MY MEETINGS WITH THEM.
NOTING that many therapist will work with their patients, and I looked round I WHAT WOULD BE MINE. MARY WAS! WHAT HAPPINESS, ALL WAS BEING TO PERFECTION.
The first would measure my physical stamina, Classifieds Maria. He asked that I sat on a MAT WHILE TAKING HER AN INFLATABLE PLASTIC BALL AS THE BEACH. I HAD TO HIT THE BALL EVERY TIME THE SHEDDING AND THROW IT BACK AS in volleyball.
– Tell me when you get tired, okay? “He said.
AS WE WERE PLAYING AND HALF HOUR OR MORE, THE TRUTH, I still not get tired. BUT I BELIEVE THAT EVEN THE STATE HAS NOT SAID IT WOULD. MARY felt it was ENOUGH AND complimented me on my fitness. VERGARA MENTALMENE thanked Dr. and Dr. Rigo-RIGHI; THEY HAD PUT ME IN THIS FORM FOR NEW STAGE. FINALLY DID OTHER YEARS AS abdominals and lift some weights, and was free to return to my cottage.
Marie took me upstairs, where he hoped MY FAMILY. DEAR HAD NOT STAY IN THE GYM FOR NOT bother, but no sooner got in the car I was bombed QUESTIONS. Had to do WHAT? Do you get tired MUCH? HAPPY, I answer their questions.
He decided to celebrate with a delicious lunch how successful she had been the morning. UBICÁBAMOS STILL DOES NOT WELL IN PHILADELPHIA, we chose DEMOD SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE KELLER. OTHERWISE, THAT INSURANCE lost.
– When you see the surroundings a little time And I promise HARTO WALKS ENTERTAINMENT. You’ll see, “my DAD WITH ENTHUSIASM.
About ten blocks HOUSE OF KELLER Find a restaurant that looked NICE. AMESA us in a still talking.
– I think we made a good decision. THE DOCTOR IS VERY PROFICIENT-Esquenazi my father said.
– YES, AND THE HOSPITAL IS SUPER NICE. Did you notice that HAD WITH A COMPUTER SCREEN? THERE MAY USE THE INTERNET AND SEND E-MAILS TO THE FAMILY-Martin said.
THE WAITRESS, an obese woman and with a scowl, not bothering Healthwise threw us MENUS AND LEFT. WE were still talking.
RATO WENT TO TAKE OUR ORDER. EACH EXCEPT YOU ASKED WHAT MY DAD, who opted PLATE OF THE DAY, WHICH COULD BE AN ACCOMPANYING soup or salad.
– SOUP OR SALAD? – Asked the woman.
– I would love A > – ANSWERED MY DAD.
– SOUP OR SALAD?! – WAITRESS repeated impatiently.
– YES, THE > Okay, I reiterate my FATHER.
The patience or sense of humor were virtues of care. Weak with laughter, he told my dad that I was just misunderstood.
“Oh, well. BE WELL SPOKEN. Bring SALAD “he said to the waitress and resolve the matter.
All through lunch we were being mocked him … AND THE WAITRESS, WHOM oozed smoke of the head every time we looked.
TWO DAYS AFTER Madrugada. DATE THAT WAS would give me my legs! HOW SERIOUS? WILL I would adapt to THEM?
FOUR MATCHES AGAIN, THE EMOTION WAS JUST TOO MUCH FOR ONE. We got in the FOURTH FLOOR, THE GYM OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, WHERE MATT awaited me. There it was, and beside PROSTHESES enable me to walk again. It consisted of a sheet of transparent plastic and a metal bar in red ALSO FINISHED IN A PLASTIC FOOT. BUT COULD NOT CALL THE LEGS, FOR ME WERE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD. ME IN THE RIGHT LEG COTTON PUT A SOCK ON IT AND PROSTHESIS fit me. LEFT-LEG WHICH had been severed above the knee-They also wear a SOCK BUT THIS WAS THE SILICONE. At its distal end a kind of code HAD to be introduced INSIDE the cap of the prosthesis and allowed this STILL CONTINUE AND SIGN.
– TIME TO STOP TRY-ME “Matt said.
MY PARENTS MIRÉ EMOTIONS. WITH THE HELP OF MATT I slipped off the mat and, how I felt very unstable, MY MOTHER and Martin COLOCARONS one on each side to hold it. He stood, WITH HELP, BUT WAS STANDING! Only three months after my accident and I was feet again. WONDER WHAT ALL POWER watch them from the same height and not upward. AS IF IT WAS MADE FOR THE FIRST TIME. HOW DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL AND SAW THAT THE WORLD FROM NEW PERSPECTIVE. My father dropped her camera. No doubt this was the most striking since the events of 30 October. EMOTION AND PRIDE were such that cost me focus on questions of Matt.
– Are you hurt? HERE HOW DO YOU FEEL?
– NO … Well, I think.
I WAS ONLY A FEW MINUTES stop after I sat down for me to withdraw the prosthesis. MATT He took them to make them fit and told me that would bring back very soon so that I play with Mary. IS ALL FOR TODAY, smiled at parting. I THINK NOT IMAGINE WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME THAT >.
Mary was with me the next time they put their legs. LAS find it more comfortable and felt more stable and better balance. MARY ME HAPPENED TO SUPPORT A WALKER forearms stood behind me and said, try to walk. MY VERY FIRST STEPS WERE UNSAFE. Accustomed to COST ME KNEE MECHANICS my left leg, but soon I could walk more confidently. EVEN told Mario he thought he could stand without support.
“Well, try it answered.
ME AND WAS SLOWLY release him, but held close for any eventuality.
-Mary, and I let ‘I said.
– SOLT BUT IF YOU DO RATO! YOU ARE STANDING BY YOURSELF cried a cheerful voice.
NOT know what to say, I was amazed, I felt prouder than ever FOR ME. MARY AFTER MY BALANCE TESTED WITH THE BALL GAME, BUT NOW STAND. He managed to keep throughout the exercise STOP AND MARY complimented me on my PROGRESS. Keep my Prosthesis and said I could go home. But I wanted to go home, need to tell ALL what I was going! So he asked my dad, who accompanied me THAT DAY, to go through the computer room. ORDERED AS TWENTY E-MAILS, ALL WITH THE SAME MESSAGE: walk again!
THE EARLY DAYS MY FAMILY IN A MOSS had accompanied me. Now, with the longer hours, I just did it ONE. I loved going with my dad. Camera in hand, I took pictures of everything she learned. Were so many and so often that put a APPEAR AFTER ANOTHER SEQUENCE OF A MOVIE.
It was so rich get to know therapists and patients, their problems, their accomplishments, their hard work. It also shares with them was a good way to practice my English. IN A SHORT TIME was accustomed and familiar with the places and people, SO MY PARENTS AND ME MARTIN were to leave and I was alone. During that time AHEAD THEY USE OF PHILADELPHIA.
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PRACTICE BEGAN WITH MARY STRONG, AND EACH TIME I noticed MY PROGRESS THANKS TO THE MAXIMUM I struggled. MARY was demanding, but with affection and firmness help lift ME THE BEST OF ME. WELL, MY TOLERANCE PROSTHESES was improved, and EZ EACH COULD walk farther. I even began to go with PROSTHESES TO THE HOUSE. I remember the first time I did SPENT THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART. DEGAS PAINTINGS exhibited. I watched BOTH AS TO THE TABLES people around me. I did not think you realize that I have no legs, REFLECTIONS. Unnoticed LOVED ME AGAIN.
When I got more stability, I started walking with a cane and finally arrived MOMENOT longed for: a few steps SOLA. I can not describe my happiness. VOLVIO to stand and walk, and all thanks to my own efforts and sacrifice of so many who Trust in Me. MAY ONWARDS SINGLE TOILET, moving from one room to another, RECOVER MY INDEPENDENCE. LINDA WHAT WAS LIFE! Now my dream was to return to Chile to show us all how much she had progressed so quickly.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND ACCEPTANCE
A WEEK AFTER OUR FIRST MEETING, Matt called me back to the same output of the first floor where I’d taken the molds.
LISTS HAD MY ARMS prostheses. He waited impatiently while he went to SEARCH. I knew what, BUT I CAN NOT FORGET WHAT IT WAS SHOCKING TO ME WHEN PUT. One thing was Esquenazi SEE YOUR DOCTOR HOOK, BUT BE ANOTHER TOTALLY DIFFERENT YO ERA TWO HOOKS, INSTEAD OF THE HANDS THAT WAS used to. FOUND THE HORRIBLE, to say the least. Hang on, WHAT MORE COULD stoic, while Matt towards the last ADJUSTMENTS. All I wanted was that I would put them out AFTER I did not think BACK NEVER wear them.
EA DIFFERENCE abysmal. How could these hooks REPLACE MY BEAUTIFUL HANDS? It hurt SEE. WHY WAS RATED AS THE MORE I HAD MY HANDS? WOULD BE SO HAPPY IF I COULD HAVE THEM AGAIN. But it was impossible and had to accept.
My parents try to comfort me that I’m not worried. HOOKS WERE FIRST, SECURE, FOR PROSTHESIS used to using. Then he held hands more aesthetic, as I wanted them. I felt more relaxed, I thought they would use as little as possible.
We climbed to fourth floor to meet the occupational therapist who would teach me to manage my new prosthesis. HE CALLED JOE WAS A YOUNG MAN AND UNDER AND PANZONCITO WITH NICE FACE.
He explained that JOE HOOKS WORK WITH A CABLE THAT GOES FROM THE HOOK UP TO HARNESS PLACED ON THE BACK. TENSAR SAID TO HARNESS, contracting the muscles of the back and arms, tension occurs ABRERA CABLE AND HOOK. TO RELAX, CLOSES. GRIP STRENGTH OF REGULATING FOR THE AMOUNT OF MAKING ELASTIC one goes on the hook. Is a system very ingenious and practical.
WERE THE FIRST SESSION Very frustrating. NOT ONLY WERE SO UGLY THAT MY HOOKS, but they were also very difficult to use and coordinate. My family cheering and tell me to be patient, but I felt as awkward SISTER >. What I was not having misplaced TOUCH, HOW THINGS WAS GOING TO APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD FEEL?
WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHEN ME JOE announced that another person would share session with me. And that was how he met Linda, a woman of sixty-odd years who, because of an infection, had lost their EXTREMEDIDADES FOUR. DESPITE THE AGE DIFFERENCE Amigi We became mutual encouragement and we did. Comparing our PROGRESS and disappointment, we talked of our history. JOINTS AND WE WERE MOVING SLOWLY began to feel that mastered OF MY PROSTHESIS.
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HAD MANY ROOMS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PAR, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU WANT ONE PRACTICE. On the fourth floor it is located a large room with tables where PATIENTS DUE TO EXERCISE tasks assigned by the therapists. ALSO HAD A SMALL ROOM environment as a Depart: WITH A BEDROOM, BATHROOM AND KITCHEN. ERA FOR CONDUCTING household chores. THE FIRST FLOOR ALSO Have an AREA OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, BUT MAINLY FOR PATIENTS WITH AGE cerebrovascular accidents.
WITH JOE Loop through each place as we would like to DO. THANKS TO UAR effort to teach FUI PROSTHESES learn many things. TAKING THE FORK IN TRUE POSITION ACCURATE PRESSURE AND ENGAGED WITH THE KNIFE COULD RETURN TO EAT ON MY ACCOUNT. ALSO HELPED ME TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO MY CLOTHES SO YOU CAN WEAR ONE AND THE SAME TO MY PEINETA to comb NO PROBLEMS. He taught me that the easiest way was bathed in a special chair SEATED SHOWER AND HELPED ME AN ORDER TO BRING TO CHILE. My independence was recovering FINALLY!
When I had HOOKS USING FEW WEEKS I realized ESTBA NOT TOUCH MY COMPLETELY LOST AND IT MADE ME VERY HAPPY. Without even PERACATARME HOW I DID, I STARTED AS Sensation INTERPRETING MOVEMENT WITHIN THE CAPS MY ARM PROSTHESIS. NEVER WOULD BE THE SAME AS WITH HANDS feels something REAL, but over time I grew more skilled in interpretations, which was very useful.
As it progresses, JOE WAS TEACHING ME THINGS THAT NEEDED MORE SKILL FINA, SOLA as a makeup artist, putting on masks in EYELASH EYE LINER AROUND, BUT BE AS MONA. TAKE A DAY WAS PRACTICING egg without breaking COORDINATION TO IMPROVE MY JOE WHEN ASKED ME:
– WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DISH?
– MMM, I think Italian food. WHY?
– GOOD, MORNING GOING TO PREPARE spaghetti. INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO BRING – he replied.
Next day we went to the parlor that had a kitchen and prepare the sauce INSTALLATIONS. HAD DECIDED TO MAKE A PLANT BASED ON, BUT AFTER BRINGING MORE THAN TWO HOURS PICANDO TOMATOES, onions, peppers, carrots and other vegetables, I thought it would have been easier HUMBLE OPENING A JAR OF TOMATO SAUCE.
WHEN all was CHOPPED, take the noodles to cook and started mixing the ingredients MY SALSA. I always liked COOK, SO WAS RADIANT MIENTRS I moved side to side. EVEN I realized ALL THE TIME, AND, LESS EVIL, ARE VERY RICH. SO THAT RAN THE NEWS AND OTHER CANDIDATES HAD to try it.
I started having them MORE SYMPATHY TO MY HOOKS realize how useful and necessary they were. Allowed me to do many things. I was shocked BUT THEIR APPEARANCE. Dare I appear in public THEM? JOE AUDREY He listened and tried to comfort. HOWEVER, IT WAS A MORE BENEFICIAL conversation with Dr. Esquenazi.
– What was the first thing you notice when we met? “I wonder.
I was honest and told him that on its hook.
– And how you tarry in forget about him?
M EPUSE to think and I realized I had only been a few seconds.
– Well, that SAME WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IT, “he said. YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL ONLY BE SET IN YOUR HOOKS, BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU MISS THEM IMMEDIATELY AND YOU WILL SEE IT. AS YOU WENT WITH ME.
Over time I check how right he was.
THE MOTIVATIONAL THERAPY RECREATION
LUNCH WAS A noon, and patients should be addressed to where several DINING ROUNDTABLE WITHOUT CHAIRS, so they could attach the WHEELCHAIRS. WHEN I walk and I asked to bring a SEAT ordinary. THAT WAS THE BEST TIME TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF PATIENTS, APARA know and heard their stories. Discovered they were VERY CARING AND WERE STILL BE HELD EACH OTHER NEW PROWESS ACHIEVED.
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BEFORE YOU TAKE THE PROSTHESIS HAD TO EAT MY ARMS USING THE HARNESS OF CAROLINA. Why I need some member of my family with me to help open containing DIFFERENT FOOD PACKAGING. LATER, WITH THE HELP OF JOE COULD DO ALL THAT ON MY ACCOUNT.
– Oh no! A sandwich AGAIN ONE DAY I TOLD MY MOTHER WITH A DISAPPOINTMENT.
WHEN I CAME TO MOSS HAD TOLD ME THAT A DESIGN NUTRITIONIST They worry balanced lunch. FROM THE FIRST DAY BUT ONLY HAD RECEIVED SANDWICHES, AND FILLED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAD, BUT THE SANDWICHES after all. PREVIOUS DAY PERSONALLY had gone to talk about nutrition. I explained with great delicacy SEEMED THAT POOR ME LUNCH SUBSTANCES Nutricia, and she promised that henceforth be more varied. So it was a disappointed to find that bit D AGAIN EXPECTED NWS.
– I want her back rolling CHILE! – I complained.
I resigned myself to eat it, ENERGY NEEDED FOR THE AMOUNT OF EJERACICIOS did. FINISHED MY LUNCH FAT when I was approached a blonde woman with delicate features and short stature, very young. I thought he was a student.
– HELLO, MY NAME IS COLLEEN AND I WILL BE YOUR RECREATIONAL THERAPIST-IS FILED -. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS?
I said no. Let me explain QUEL ROLE OF THIS THERAPY IS TO HELP PEOPLE THAT CAN DO WHAT VOVLO A BEFORE THE GROUNDS, THAT IS, YOUR HOBBIES, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT. He sat at my side and began to find out WHAT I entertained myself before the accident, I missed ACTIVITIES WHAT, HOW WAS A NORMAL DAY MINE, AND so on.
RECREATIONAL THERAPY IS CONDUCTED IN A CONTIGUOUS TO THE DINING ROOM. I was surprised how pretty that it was. She was surrounded by windows that let in DAYLIGHT AND NEXT TO THEM GREW GOMERA, Ficus and some flowers. ITS LEAVES CARE shines with the same patients. ALSO, on the left, there was a large aquarium with little guppies. IN ONE OF OUR FIRST SESSIONS PERMITTED COLLEEN ME FOOD. Needs to maintain a strong coordination with MIS HOOKS, BUT WE MADE IT AND SEE HOW WAS ENTRETENIDO Little Fishes are stacked in around the food that fell.
A pool table occupies most of SPACE. On the walls instead of pictures highlighted a number AMAZING PHOTO. ON MY FIRST SESSION I went and saw it was up to DISABLED feats. I saw a boy climb the peak WHEELCHAIR WITH YOUNG AND OTHER PROSTHETICS parachute. What should I do to earn a SITE on these walls? EVER COULD REGAIN MY bike ride with Richard? ME HE OPENED THE WORLD, IF OTHERS COULD, BECAUSE MY NOTHING would stop me.
RECREATIONAL THERAPY WAS MY DAY AND THROUGH lasted an hour. My favorite ERA. I relax and ME THERE ENTRETENÍAJUNTO other patients. COLLEEN worked a lot with the second floor: THOSE WITH BRAIN DAMAGE, so I had MUCH TO SHARE WITH THEM. At first it was shocking and thanked SEE MY MIND A THOUSAND TIMES REMAINING THE SAME AFTER THE ACCIDENT. Eventually I got used to them and they had a good time. TABLE GAMES played almost always >. Like them, he returned to be a girl. To play with cards, COLLEN He lent me a piece of wood with small slot where you insert LETTERS. JUST LIKE THERE HAD TO take them. MY PARTICIPATION IS THIS TASK served a dual role: I entertained myself and allowed me to others better CONCOS THERAPISTS AND PATIENTS.
Of the many things I did with necklace, I’m excited more than the rest: I COULD RETURN TO KNITTING! ME AS MEA had put it when I had my accident, but I never thought I would do it SOON. It was not easy since the same COLLEEN NOT KNOW WEAVING. I had to ask my mom to teach him. Once I understood the basics, He set to work.
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– NEED A DEVICE TO REPLACE THE HAND WITH YOU TAKE THE POINTS strand to weave, “he explained.
FINALLY after several attempts succeeded in manufacturing the device, AND I COULD GO BACK to hatch. Then place one of the sticks between my legs I was INSERTING THE OTHER IN THE FABRIC, PASSING THE WOOL … ROWS AND TRAINING! I will not deny how difficult and tiring it was, but I did. And I felt if I was capable of this complicated WORK, WOULD BE CAPABLE OF ANYTHING. IT WAS NICE TO RECEIVE MORE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE THERAPISTS, NOT JUST FOR COLLEEN. I WAS THE FIRST BILATERAL ARMS AMPUTEE They saw THAT THEY WEAVE. Such a feat, they said, had he recorded, E VIDEO CALLED ME FOR WEAVING show other people you want to try.
BACK TO CHILE
WEEKS WERE GOING FAST. Arrive exhausted EVERY DAY TO THE HOUSE, JUST WANT TO SLEEP WITH. WEEKENDS WERE A TREASURE. COULD NOT JUST BECAUSE rest, but also because my father kept his promise to ORGANIZE PANORAMAS ENTERTAINMENT. GONE THERE MY FATIGUE magically. PHILADELPHIA AND COULD BETTER KNOW, BUT WITH SOME LIMITATIONS, IT IS NOT EASY TO RUN A WHEELCHAIR IN THE SNOW. ALSO ORGANIZE SOME WALKS OUT OF PHILADELPHIA, Washigton OR HOW TO GET TO NEW YORK. THURSDAY I began to count the hours for arrival on Saturday.
NEW YORK IS ONLY A FEW HOURS OF PHILADELPHIA, AND BEYOND THAT WE MEET SATURDAY TO SUNDAY. I love the city, so full of Asian, Latino, whatever their nationality fewer Americans. But what most impressed me was when it was NIGHT. I had to look at a clock to believe, were so many ADVERTISING LIGHT, the buildings, squares, ILLUMINATED ESCULTRAS DAY THAT SEEMED.
MI Pope insisted that I could not be in town without seeing a Broadway musical and spent over two hours doing ONE LONG LINE TO GET TICKETS. FINALLY BOUGHT TICKETS FOR ONE CALLED “AIDA”. MY MOTHER, Martin and I cover it with kisses AS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND WE Preparing for the big event.
THE THEATER WAS BEAUTIFUL, full of colorful posters PROMOTING THE MUSICAL.
-TICKETS, PLEASE “said the ticket clerk.
My father gave them up. BUT THE MAN, INSTEAD of letting us pass, LOOKING TO FACE PANIC TICKETS AND THEN TO ME IN MY WHEELCHAIR.
– LORD IS THEIR LOCATIONS FOR THE SECOND FLOOR “he said finally.
We had not noticed. GOOD BUT BOTH AS MY DAD MARTIN was used to UPLOAD MY CHAIR BY STEP. So we told no problem.
“Wait a minute, please,” and turned away.
A few seconds returned with your supervisor.
– SORRY BUT WE CAN NOT LEAVE THEM UP WITH A WHEELCHAIR TO THE SECOND FLOOR. MEASURES AGAINST VA Our Security said the latter.
We looked with a sad face. “AFTER ALL THE EFFORT OF MY DAD COULD NOT SEE THE WORK?
– THE PLACE-ADDED change my KINDLY THE SUPERVISOR.
Smiling again as I followed him. At this point, any site did not care. NOW ALMOST OVER THE STAGE, THE SUPERVISOR ANNOUNCES:
– THESE ARE YOUR SEATS – AND APUNTOÓ TO FOUR SEATS IN THE FRONT. WE RESERVED THE IF YOU GET SOMEONE IMPORTANT.
It was a dream! WE feel great with our fate.
– WHAT GOOD IS COME OUT FOR A STROLL WITH ME? “I laughed.
THE MUSICAL was spectacular. Enjoyed it from start to finish. AND FROM OUR SEATS UNTIL I could make the slightest FACTIONS AND GESTURES OF ACTORS. Could practically smell it!
BACK TO THE HOTEL WE sleep early the next day was to return to Philadelphia.
These trips renew my ENERGIES WANT TO START WITH A NEW DAY MONDAY. EVERY TIME I WAS ME IN MOSS Environment Best. ALMOST KNEW EACH FLOOR therapists, a very cheerful and enthusiastic, who pledged the full with their patients. ALSO COULD SHARE MORE WITH THE REST OF THE SICK, BUT STILL LINDA still my best friend. ALWAYS lunch together and taught them new tricks LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER.
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I could not believe HOW WAS ADVANCED. COMPARED WITH THAT HAD REACHED THE DANIELA frightened and anxious, I was someone else. HOW TO MOVE FORWARD! Clearly was not FREE: DUE stretched to the limit. BUT WHAT COULD BE MY FATIGUE IMPORTANCE; I love going to MOSS AND REHABILITATION WORK IN MI. Strange CLARO CHILE, THE REST OF MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND ESPECIALLY TO RICHARD. Could not talk on phone with them all the time, but they had email. MANDARA TONS OF E-MAILS tell him the news. At first I COULD NOT PRESS THE KEYS, AND MY BROTHER MARTIN offered to be MI >. I was a little embarrassed WERE FOR RICHARD. Blushed ME EVERY TIME WE SAY THAT PUT >. BUT PATIENCE OF SAINT MARTIN HAD NOTHING AND EVERYTHING TIPEABA I asked. When I had my arms prostheses, COLLEEN HELPED ME TO USE THE COMPUTER. STRANGER TO START TO MEETINGS WITH MARTIN, I like to share those moments with Him.
TO FIVE WEEKS FULFILLED IN PHILADELPHIA, MY DAD AND MARTIN had to return to Chile. Jose Ignacio and Rafael and were going to come to class and my dad wanted to be with them MAKING THESE LAST DAYS OF Vacations. WE ONLY my mom and I, and we moved to a cottage RELATIVES OF PATIENTS FOR MOSS. Just let WE THE KELLER. WITHOUT YOUR GENEROSITY OUR ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SAD. WE NEVER thank you enough. HOWEVER, THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED BY MOSS We sat so close to the INSTITUTE. ALSO WOULD BE FOR ONE WEEK ONLY.
NO had great faith in the new house. I imagine old and dirty. But I was wrong. Consists of two floors. OUR FIRST bedroom was on the bathroom and included a ADAPTED FOR THAT I COULD BATHE ME NO PROBLEMS. THE KITCHEN AND THE LIVING ROOM AND A LARGE LIVING ROOM FOR THE SIX WERE COMMON ROOMS OF THE HOUSE, occupied by others. It was equipped intelligently, all shone OF decor and cleanliness was cozy.
Knowing so little MISSING TO RETURN TO CHILE MADE ME THAT DAY IS ETERNAL Hici. Also missed the walks with Dad and the Martin company. BUT THESE LAST DAYS IN MOSS, OTHER THAN THE YEARS I GOT MY VALUABLE TIPS FOR WHEN THEY THERAPISTS was not around.
On Thursday of that last week I went to the dining room when MARÍA I stopped. HAD TO talk to me, said very seriously. I followed some disquiet psyllids, ESPECIALLY WHEN, INSTEAD OF Hit the GYM-OUR regular meeting place, BENDING TOWARDS THE SIXTH OF THE BOARDS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. FACE THE QUESTION I looked and repeated to follow. BY ENTERING THE ROOM WAS MY WONDER UPPERCASE: THERE WERE NO OCUPACINALES THERAPISTS ONLY, BUT ALSO OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND RECREATION. None are missing. Laughing, he shouted in unison SURPRISE! FAREWELL PARTY WAS FOR ME. Could not believe it! It was all the time I was in MOSS VI LEAVE MANY PATIENTS FROM HIGH, BUT NO ONE ANY HOST FAREWELL. WHY MY?, QUISESABER. I was told that the reason was the happiness I felt PROGRESS BEFORE ME, THE WAY TO TACKLE TO MY PROBLEM AND EFFORT which was really succeed. NEVER, they had won a similar case, he said. OF COURSE I HAD TO MOURN EMOTION. They were then occurs some Delicious pizzas and later received a card each had written a message with congratulations and words of support. KNOW WHAT THEY WAS REWARDING appreciate my efforts. Encourage ME THAT MOVE FORWARD.
MY LAST DAY AT MOSS HAD MEETING WITH THE DOCTOR Esquenazi. He’d been more or less ONCE A WEEK SINCE MY ARRIVAL AND WAS AWARE OF MY PROGRESS. During our stay in the city was fond of the FAR to invite a couple of times to eat at his house, where he met Rosa, his lady, and their children, all as affectionate as he is. THAT DAY I showed him my progress and looked FACE TO SEE WHAT pony. I smiled. SAID TO BE SO HAPPY AND PROUD OF MY WORK THAT COVERS PODNRÍA CMO REWARD YOU MY LEGS. I had already the idea of leaving EVENT TO CHILE ONLY COLOR TUBES THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME. HAD ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO PRACTICE WITH AN INDOOR before turning them more nicely. EVEN WITH MY MOTHER AND made plans for laundering the pipes under his pants.
That same afternoon, WHILE EXERCISING WITH MARY AT THE GYM, comes back my legs. FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEM JUST THE VI. RREALMENTE SEEMED REALLY, no one would notice that he used prosthesis. I put ME IMMEDIATELY AND I WENT TO LOOK FOR A MIRROR. BUENO, would never be the same as he had lost, BUT WERE PRETTY.
WHILE ME NOTES, PIE, I thought back to MY PROGRESS. BEFORE LEAVING CHILE stand ACHIEVE MY DREAM OF NEW ERA, BUT HAD ACHIEVED MUCH MORE THANKS TO MY IT WAS ALMOST INDEPENDENT PRÓTEIS, ate alone, I combed he wrote. Was so much that had recovered. AND ROADS ONLY WITH THE HELP OF A CANE AND LEGS WITH THESE SEEMED ALMOST REAL!
FAREWELL TO MOSS WAS SAD. Had been my home for six weeks, a home with so loving PEOPLE. I thanked everyone and I promised to write reports of how things were in Chile.
IN THE HOUSE WHERE MY MOTHER AND I were staying, that afternoon I felt odd. On one hand, because the next day FELIZ We traveled back to Chile on the other with a gap difficult to explain. Had taken a liking to Moss and her people. Try to distract MY MOTHER WHILE packed up. SHE ALSO HAD BEEN FOR A PERIOD STRONG.
THE NEXT DAY, and once installed on the plane, I looked out my new PROSTHESIS umpteenth time. WANT TO SHOW WHAT YOU ALL! MISSING A FEW HOURS AND WHO WANT TO MEET, ESPECIALLY WITH RICHARD. I fell asleep thinking about him.
HOME AGAIN
When I woke up, missing only about forty minutes For our plane landed in Santiago. NOW AT THE AIRPORT, ME seemed so strange to hear people talk-CHILEAN SPANISH, that accent is so familiar. An airport official helps us gather our things and leads us to where we hoped ROOM AND MY DAD MY BROTHER JOSEPH Ingnacio. I’m glad to see him, But where was Richard? WHY NOT ME had gone for him too? NO I dared to ask. Suddenly I heard a faucet and a door that opened. RICARDO WAS! It had occurred to the toilet at the very moment of our arrival. As they approached told him I wanted to show something. Confirmed me in the armrest of my wheelchair, I could not STAND and embraced him.
ON THE WAY TO MY HOUSE, looking out the window of the car had the same experience that when you get to Philadelphia. ONLY A FEW HOURS AGO I WAS SURROUNDED BY SNOW AND NOW, IN CHILE, A MIDDAY HEAT GRILLING ME, I thought. MOSS was seen as something so far away.
RAFAEL, my younger brother, opened the door and puts us FEW my mom and cardboard crowns.
– Welcome home. A SURPRISE WE SAID THE WAIT “.
Indeed, the rest of the family is busy PREPARING THE ROOM FOR A BREAKFAST MADE THEM. AROUND THE TABLE, crammed with goodies AND ALL reconvene Run Over by WE SPEAK. HAD SO MANY NEW AND SO GOOD!
THE FIRST WEEKS TRIP ME THE PURA VIDA SOCIAL, FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOT FORGIVE LS welcoming party. WAS VERY NICE TO BE WITH ALL, GET YOUR AFFECTION, but I confess that as I was proud of my progress, I also coast showed with the hooks. I thought all IBAN scare. THEN I repeated the words of Dr. Esquenazi. WHAT WERE SOME. RUN WITH ME THE DAY HE WAS DOING MORE NATURAL.
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STILL STRONG WAS SOLD BY MY WORK IN PHILADELPHIA, BUT WAS MY REHABILITATION CONSTINUAR. I WENT TO SEE MY physiatrist, Dr. Cristina Rigo-Righi, PAR DO tell me that.
– It is essential that SIGAS THERAPY WITH AT LEAST FIVE TIMES A WEEK-ADD-AND THE M’S SET IS TELETÓN.
Fix My SO REINSTATEMENT TO THAT INSTITUTE.
THE JOURNEY OF MY HOUSE TO TELETÓN ERA LONG DAY BUT THERE WAS NOT my mom with me. Buy a newspaper at the kiosk on the corner and read while I finished my EXPECTED MEETING. The first day I was awake Despite o’clock and I really wanted to see SEBASTIAN, MI PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, and show all I could do.
TO GET TO THE INSTITUTE FOR THE FIRST TIME CAR down walk me to the gym, where they practice PATIENTS WITH Kinesiólogo. MY MOTHER opened the door and I looked at Sebastian with his eyes. Working with a patient in a corner and seeing me SMILE. He came and SEVERAL TIMES MADE ME WALK ALONG THE GYM TO see him doing it.
– But well, DANIELA! TE FELICITO he said cheerfully.
VARIOUS PHYSIOTHERAPISTS also approaches. Everyone wanted to see HOW WERE MY NEW PROSTHESIS, even called THE INSTITUTE FOR PROSTHESIS were to be considered.
– WHAT ARE MODERN! – Repeated.
I was impressed by its amazing. AFTER ALL, ONLY THOSE WERE MY DENTURE PRACTICE. “So great was the difference between the U.S. and Chile? AGAIN I appreciated having the means to pay MY TREATMENT ABROAD. BUT, WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO HAD NO RESOURCES? How unfair life sometimes.
RETURN TO ME GUSTÓ telethon VIEW UPHOLSTERY PAINT THESE WALLS AND HAPPY WITH THEIR CHILDREN smileys. MEETINGS WITH RETURNS Sebastien, were just as demanding. We started off with an exercise routine similar to that done before ACCIDENT then took me to travel all over the Institute, up and down stairs, NOW TRY DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE YARD UNTIL was drenched in sweat. But he always worry, with much affection, that I was OK.
OTHER DAYS WORKED WITH CLAUDIO. LESS DEMANDING THAT HE WAS SEBASTIAN, and we laughed a lot together. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE TOPICS was reading.
– What book are you reading? “I wonder.
– ONE ON BLACK PLAGUE. SUPER GOOD.
– Really? ME INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT. Lend When you finish, okay?
I WENT TO SEVERAL WEEKS TELETÓN. I got to meet ALL FURTHER AND I made friends with several children who shared the GYM WITH ME. MARVEL They kept their innocence and openness. So many times I HAD TO ANSWER WHY Hook-HANDS I entertained myself invent new responses. One of those times CLAUER answered before I could speak.
– To pinch the nose to INQUISITIVE! “He laughed.
THE boy looked at me with a frightened face; difficult to convince me that it was a JOKE.
TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE INSTITUTE I could understand the full extent DIMENSION OF THIS GREAT WORK, ITS IMPORTANCE FOR CHILDREN AND THE WORK OF EVERY PERSON THERE. REMUNERATION COULD EVER What made FOR ME?
Each time I felt better about myself. LOS > THAT BOTH had tormented me had greatly diminished but still persisted. BUT NOW Do not bother me Its intensity was significantly lower, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS JAIME SANTANDER OPINION TO SUSPEND THE PAIN.
TAKE ME ALWAYS HAD LOADED THE REMEDIES, made me feel like a sick woman. DO NOT SEE MORE HAPPINESS. OTHER STAGE SUPER! ANOTHER STEP ON THE SCALE OF REHABILITATION!
PREPARING MY RETURN TO CLASS
AMONG the many activities waiting for me in Chile after my stay in Philadelphia, an ERA KEY START TO ORGANIZE MY BACK TO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. My idea was REGAIN THE YEAR RIGHT ON THE DATE IT WAS HAD MY ACCIDENT, ie October, and an end to what he had left open the previous Year. STILL HAD ENOUGH TIME-WE WERE until April “So I began to analyze the many problems if it wanted to DEABERÍA FACE AS regular student. Practical problems, ACADEMIC AND ANY ORDER. Getting around UP FROM THE UNIVERSITY, move between ROOM AND LIVING ROOM, WITH QUICK TAKE NOTES, ETC. NORMAL UNIVERSITY BEGINS DAY MORE OR LESS at eight-thirty in the morning. TO ABIDE IN THE TWELVE OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, THE HOSPITAL Sotero Del Rio, THE POST OR OTHER CENTRAL HEALTH CENTER. THERE WORK-AROUND IN GROUPS OF FIVE KIDS-WITH A MEDICAL STUDENTS AS GUARDIAN. WE HELP WITH HANDLING OF PATIENTS AND SO WE LEARN HOW TO PRACTICE practice medicine. THEN WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR FOR LUNCH, WHICH IS ALWAYS SHORT, and runs to the theoretical classes hsta EXTEND TO FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON. Could he do all this NOW? THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE ME reiterated its support. WAS a great joy. BUT I KNOW THAT HAS TO DO THINGS THAT COULD NOT, WOULD BE A GOOD DOCTOR.
HOW SHOULD STILL GO EVERY MORNING AT THE INSTITUTE OF TELETÓN could only go to class in the afternoon. BUT it was better, I felt ready YET TO RETURN TO WORK IN THE HOSPITAL.
The one is happy with my return and pledged full support for me was the MACA, my great friend. I knew I had to change course “I had postponed by one year-but it was difficult DROP ties with my former colleagues.
Wear THURSDAY FOR A CHANGE IN TELETÓN; WANTED TO SEE ME GET LINDA AND NOT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DIVER. SEBASTIAN I asked to let me out a little early to arrive in good time. LIST AND ARRANGED ONCE, MY MOTHER TOOK ME TO THE HEADQUARTERS.
– MACA, AND COMING-LE VOY phoned.
– QUE RICO! YOU WILL BE WAITING WITH PAULA IN Marcoleta “he replied.
When I dropped my CAR VI THE TWO APPROACHES jump for joy. EACH SIDE placing a mine and not left me alone for a minute. It was strange to walk along the same corridor as before, seeing the same familiar faces. MANY PEOPLE APPROACHING Health, other strange looks passed and ME. I bet not imagine that coming back, I thought I PROUD.
I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH MY PREVIOUS YEAR AS THE DOCTOR AND HIS FIELD PASABA I watched. It was very special to see my pals so busy taking notes, making notes CONCENTRATES smile so, Smiling FROM TIME TO TIME. It was as if nothing had changed.
When the class ended I was a good time CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FRIENDS TO THE GROUP IS hsta began to disperse. It was time to go home. Had been several hours but flew by. DID NOT WANT to stop.
– Need a ride? – Juampi GAVE ME.
– No thanks, my mom comes looking cried the MACA.
THE JOURNEY HOME was very happy, I PRÓCIMA IN TIME go to college. I wish I could be every day!
I went several VEACES to school on a trial. ALWAYS WHERE LUNCH Strange, everything as before my accident. TRYING TO DEVELOP THE SAME DAY NORMAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TAKING NOTES TO SEE HOW MY SPEED ANDABA. THINGS gave very well, even better than I expected, so I realized that if I tried hard enough, would have great difficulties. Think he would make! The only problem was the distances they must travel. I reached my destination after the rest, and exhaustion. How? One option was to my wheelchair, BUT I were involved have someone pushed me. INDEPENDENCE lose something so important to me. There must be another alternative.
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AND THANKS TO MY MOTHER FOUND. A SATURDAY WHEN I read Listen in.
– DANIELA! You gotta see this.
WAITING ON ME YOUR FEET WITH THE SATURDAY REVIEW OF MERCURY IN YOUR HANDS.
-READ THIS FEATURE “he asked.
WAS AN INTERVIEW TO A DOCTOR CALLED MC DONALD PATRICIA. I had never heard of her, so I looked at my MOM MISSED.
-READ insisted.
MC DONALD PATRICIA AN ERA ophthalmologist who suffered from multiple sclerosis. TO READ deduced that they were of a very brave woman; STILL WORKING AND MAKING entirely normal life despite his illness. AS PAR busy road HAD PROBLEMS WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR CART CALLED SCOOTER. ESO! THERE WAS THE SOLUTION! I could use something similar in college. Look at my MOM SMILING.
– I’ll ask thy Father which sought to place MC DONALD THE DOCTOR GOT TO ASK HOW THE SCOOTER “he said.
ONE WEEK LATER had contacted the doctor, who offered to stop by my cottage to talk to me.
ONCE THEY TAKE AN AFTERNOON. (TEA, if I mistake not) a few minutes to talk to her i realized that was exactly as we had imagined from reading the story: A woman of great courage, the kind that are not afraid of adversity. Say another QUENUNCA FORGET THE QUOTES AND REMEMBER THAT EVERY TIME YOU FEEL ME MISSING FUEZAS:
– When something you find it, DO NOT bitter or give up, HOW DO YOU THINK … AND DO IT!
ALSO TALK ABOUT THE SCOOTERS AND SO MUCH ANYTHING I could use. VERONICA Geldres TOLD ME, a colleague and friend of hers, ONE HAD NO LONGER used and wanted to sell. HERE YOU HAVE YOUR PHONE, he said, call him.
Days later, while having lunch with my MOM, the doorbell rang. We looked MISSED. Who could be at that hour? Dr. Veronica WAS THAT Geldres wanted to talk! I am absolutely amazed. I still had not called because of time. But Dr. PATRICIA MC DONALD had told ACQUIRE AN INTEREST IN MY SCOOTER AND SHE BROUGHT ME THAT SAME unengaged. EMOTIONS, thanked him for his nice gesture. I was surprised AGAIN HOW TO HELP SOMEONE always appeared, there was always someone ready to offer a hand when you need.
WITH THAT WOULD NO LONGER SMALL WONDER problems with mobility at the University. There were solutions ALMOST ALL TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, BUT EACH TIME YOU THOUGHT IN MY BACK TO CLASS I could not help me very NERVOUS. How would receive me with my new teammates? What about teachers? I did not want me differently treated, did not want special consideration. But what scares me was my relationship with patients. Do you mind if I the attended? Would you offer scares examiners? Would he have confidence in me? No, better not to think. I had no answers and all he achieved would be STRESS. There is still much, I said reassuringly.
AGAIN TO MOSS
My second trip to Philadelphia was scheduled for late July, and NEW SIX WEEKS SHOULD REMAIN WORKING ON MOSS. IRIA THIS TIME WITH MY MOM AND MY DAD, BUT HE ONLY would stay during the first week. ALSO accompany us for some time CATI MY AUNT, SISTER OF MY MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER. Good, I thought, so MY MOTHER WILL NOT BE AS ONE while I THERAPY.
I AM ON THE 11TH BIRTHDAY OF AUGUST, SO THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST AWAY FROM MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ESO ME JUST A LITTLE, BUT WERE SUPERIO my desire to go back to school. MANY THINGS waiting for me there! MY NEW LEG WOULD HAVE technology so advanced that would let me walk without a cane. IN ADDITION, THE AESTHETIC BEST promised to be. COULD EVEN ABLE TO LEARN TO RUN! BUT THAT WAS my greatest happiness would finally have my new HAND, PRECIOUS FEW HANDS. ANYONE WHO USED PROSTHETICS NOTARY.
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APPROACHES FROM DAY is repeated farewells. EVEN HAD A BIRTHDAY PARTY ADVANCE ORGANIZED BY PAMELA, MY BEST FRIEND’S COLLEGE. The sorrow she felt for leaving People who want to offset by the joy of seeing BACK TO MY FRIENDS OF MOSS.
Scary HAD BEEN IN FEBRUARY, BEFORE YOU GO FOR THE FIRST TIME. NOW was so different, I knew what I was going, I was happy. RICARDO NOS back to the airport and I left him I wondered how The next time you see us. Nor did I FEAR IN THE PLANE, WAS ALL THAT WAS INCREDIBLE progress since then.
My first surprise was seeing PHILADELPHIA WITHOUT SNOW, ALL GREEN AND A radiant sun. In my spare time-if I had them take advantage of TAN-TO RETURN TO CHILE WITH A PITCH THAT CAUSE THE ENVY OF MY FRIENDS.
We set up IN THE SAME HOUSE NEAR HOSPITAL LA Where were we last time. ADDING a camp bed in our room for my dad could sleep with us. Looked lovely GARDEN SHRUBS WITH VEGETABLES AND WHERE leafy trees up and down squirrel. GET PEACE gave much to the locality.
MY MOTHER AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD. KNOW WHERE IS THE NEAREST SUPERMARKET AND WHAT WERE THE MOST HIGH meal and easy to prepare. THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE THE FELT LIKE YOU AND ME ALWAYS SOMETHING LOOKS DELICIOUS.
WERE VIRTUALLY THE ONLY stay there. PARTNER WITH shared the house came a lot, so we felt owners of the territory. AS THE WEATHER WAS SO NICE way to the hospital we went, only one block. And at night we enjoyed a movie in our room. ALSO IN THE STATE OF MY DAD, taking advantage of eating out and walk a little.
It was incredible struggle with Doctor Esquenazi, with Mary, COLLEEN, JOE AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE OF MOSS. To see her again I realized the great affection that he felt towards them, and that certainly was mutual.
SPECIALISTS set to work immediately on my new prosthesis. FRANK, the contract to manufacture my hands, was an older man, a descendant of Italians (You sound just like the dons of the Mafia). VERY NICE CALL OTHER PROSTHESIS HOWARD, whom he had known from the previous trip, WOULD who will run my legs.
Within days I felt like I’d never IDO. WITH MARY NOS focus on strengthening of the muscles in my legs, it was the only way to walk without a cane. JOE AND HOW I STARTED PRACTICING THE NEW MASTER ARMS PROSTHESIS, Myoelectric CALLS.
– How it works? – LE asked, intrigued.
– Well, you’ve studied anatomy, right? – TOLD ME.
– Yes, some.
– THEN KNOW THAT THE FOREARM HAS TWO FACES: A anterior and posterior. AND THAT FACE THE MUSCLES ARE ABOVE ALLOW THE HAND IS IN THE REAR END AND THOSE TO OPEN IT.
I nodded.
– Myoelectric HANDS THAT HAVE TWO ELECTRODES CAPTAN muscle contraction. EACH IN ONE SIDE OF THE FOREARM. WELL, IF YOU contract the muscles of the front of your forearm, the electrode THE SENSE and THE HAND WILL BE CLOSED. Tighten WHEN THE REAR FACE OF THE HAND WILL BE OPENED “he explained. Do you understand?
I answered yes. Was sophisticated, but simple. We spend a lot WORKING SESSIONS. Joe had a machine with a screen and two electrodes. I put one on each side of the forearm and every time I Contrai FEW MUSCLES needle moved on the screen.
– WANT TO LEARN TO CONTRACT SEPARATELY FOR EACH FACE MUSCLES OF FOREARM. NEEDLE IN EACH MONITOR belongs to one of the electrodes. When you activate an electrode the other needle should not move.
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At first it seemed IMPOSSIBLE. TWO OWN NEEDLES life-like. BUT I STARTED WITH PATIENCE THE MASTER, and I could distinguish clearly how each electrode ACTIVATE SEPARATELY. I felt happy.
But my happiness was cloudy. Within days, I realized with dismay that nothing went according PLANS. DESPITE THE GREAT EFFORT OF HOWARD AND FRANK, ME NO NEW PROSTHESES fit snugly and made me suffer. The left leg it hurts DEBIT MY BODY WEIGHT IN IT; RIGHT not allow me to support the prosthesis FOR MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR. It was torture. SYSTEM TO ASSERT MY HANDS ARMS Myoelectric consisted presses the cap on my elbow. WELL, prostheses is suspended. But something was not working well, EVERY TIME TO PRACTICE Try using it gave me multiple bruises in my arms, right in the place where we HOLD PROSTHESIS.
Weeks passed and not projected to PROGRESS. I even had to suspend my PRACTICES WITH MARY OF walk without a cane. PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG is widening to support it. Esquenazi ME DOCTOR explains why: as the amputation of my leg and unforeseen TRAUMATIC HAD BEEN IN THE TIME OF OPERA CONCERNS save as many POSSIBLE LEG AS HE SHOULD BE, AND THE BOTTOM OF MY FEMUR is not well FIXED WITH MUSCLES, as in elective surgery. This made with every step the end of the femur would move and hit the wall of the prosthesis, cause this unbearable pain.
– THE ONLY SOLUTION IS THAT SOME DAY AGAIN TO FIX THAT FEMUR an operation, “declared the Doctor Esquenazi.
UNTIL THEN WOULD STICK TO CONTINUE TO USE THE PAIN IF YOU WANT TO AVOID.
When finally FRANK Myoelectric I GET MY HANDS, I just wanted to MOURN. Were neither Similar to what I expected. FOUND THE HORRIBLE, WIDE, TOO LONG AND FALSE. BUT TODAY THE SITUATION FACING THE DISTANCE, NOTHING would have filled my expectations. I had fantasized WITH SOME IDENTICAL TO THE HANDS THAT WAS LOST AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE. Such high expectations for THOSE HANDS THAT FOR HIGH STILL bruised left me USABA IF TOO LONG FOR A PERIOD.
MY PLANS WERE MANY, MANY I still have goals to achieve. But nothing was done. Was stagnant. WHAT MORE COULD SUCK ME IF YOU got was the best there was? And I wanted so much more! LIFE IS NOT FAIR. WHY YOU HAD LEFT MY DREAMS will fly so high? THE FALL hurt. Would they have to forget EVERYTHING and settle for what he had already accomplished? I was crashed into a roof that could not traverse. So those are my limitations, I thought with DISAPPOINTMENT and sadness, great sadness.
RAINBOW AFTER THE RAIN
Spend a few days very gray, perhaps the most gray since my accident. HAD REACHED THE TOP OF WHAT COULD SUCK TO ME. Until one day, lying on my bed, I began to recall EVERY MINUTE OF MY LIFE IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. Pointed out that many people thought I would never walk again … but I was walking. Remember I had said that was probably going to need someone to take great care of ME … AND IT WAS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT. He had returned to Incusa KNITTING! IF THINGS HAD ACHIEVED seemed impossible, NOW WHY WAS ME MYSELF PUTTING LIMITS? NO. NEVER AGAIN SO I would feel. IF ANY LIMITATION HAD TO HAVE, MY BODY WAS GOING TO BE THAT THE PUT ME, not my head. I sat on the bed, shook Clouds MY MIND AND DECIDED I was not going to surrender, IBA to continue fighting. Realize that rehabilitation is a long way, possibly never ends, and in which patience and perseverance are CLAVESSI things do not turn to the First, try a second time, a third, or who necessary.
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FROM THAT DAY ME resigned that things are not as I wanted. I WAS much more patient and I resolved to give me the time required to reach my goals. Decided to focus my energies on other things, KNOWING PHILADELPHIA. NOW, NO SNOW, was much easier around town and visit the tourist sites. My mom and I took advantage of walking HART, both alone and with my grandmother OR CATI. It also seeks to enjoy the other benefits offered me MOSS AS A RECREATIONAL THERAPY.
COLLEEN, my therapist, I wonder what I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN THIS TRIP. I told her BEFORE THE ACCIDENT WAS ONE OF MY HOBBIES biking with Ricardo.
– “Want to try? – GAVE ME, Realizing that not be easy.
I was willing inmates that and more. WHERE TO GIVE ME THE FORCES.
THE NEXT DAY, A brilliant sunshine seemed to be a SIGN OF GOOD FORTUNE. TO ENTER THE BOARD OF RECREATIONAL THERAPY THAT COLLEEN VI was waiting. And in his hands he held a bicycle.
-ES of a colleague. THE LOAN THAT YOU CAN PRACTICE-he told me.
TO SEE, MANY MEMORIES BACK TO MY HEAD. >, used to tell me RICARDO. ME NOT A SIMPLE BIKE win.
“The first thing we do is PRACTICE ONE-ADD COLLEEN Subirte.
TRY DIFFERENT WAYS THE COMPLETE MORNING, BUT none succeeded. Perched EVEN TRIED A COUPLE OF FIRST STEPS TO HAVE MORE HEIGHT, BUT EITHER. THE FATIGUE MADE ME STOP BUT NOT give up. Patience and perseverance, I repeated, and told COLLEEN BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT TOMORROW ENSAYANDO would follow. In the evening I entertained devising a thousand ways to climb the bicycles, to which, suddenly, I knew. Of course, as I had thought NO! The solution was so simple: LEAVE THE BIKE LYING ON FLOOR ONE OF MY LEGS GO ON IT AND THEN TAKE THE MANUBRIO and Levante. WHAT Eager to see if it works.
MOSS REACHES eager to tell my strategy Colleen, CELEBRITY WHO SHOULD HAVE ADVISED ME BUT KEEP A VERY GOOD BALANCE TO AVOID blow. Anyway, SHE would be with me for any eventuality. Position the bike in the floor, put one leg to each side and slowly began to rise. AND RESULTS! WAS ON THE BIKE! NOW … A PEDAL! COLLEEN IS PLACED TO ONE SIDE AND ANOTHER THERAPIST MY YM EIBAN AFFIRMING THE OTHER WHILE I try to raise my feet to the pedals. CHARGED BY THE FOURTH FLOOR CORRIDOR, THE SIGHT OF PEOPLE OR ME applauded me strange looks, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN VERY COMMON TO SEE SOMEONE BY BICYCLE a hospital corridor.
After a while came a new DISADVANTAGE: He hit the my heels made me lose WHEELS AND STABILITY.
– DO NOT WORRY, YOU SOLUCINAREMOS “said Colleen, surprised that AT LEAST THE FIRST STEP HAS ACHIEVED. I HAVE FOR ANY DISPUTE YOU TOMORROW.
IN EFFECT, TO BRING COLLEN PEDALS INVENTED A KIND OF PLASTIC BUMPER to prevent my heels outside to the inside. Functioning insurance, I thought.
– Today we will OUTDOORS. WE WILL HAVE MORE SPACE AND CHALLENGES Evitare ME YESTERDAY. Some people resented our adventure through the halls, “he laughed.
MOSS NOT HAD A PROPER PLACE TO PRACTICE OUTSIDE, SO CROSS THE STREET TO THE PARKING LOT WHERE THERAPISTS left their cars. Here was a stretch long and flat, perfect pair ANUESTROS PURPOSES.
COLLEEN MADE ME wear a helmet. I climbed AS THE BIKE HAD LEARNED, I put my left foot on the pedal and PENS >. I raised my right foot PEDAL AND A BOOST FOR I STARTED TO GO. Was riding, bicycling WAS! WITH THE WIND IN MY FACE FELT as if flying, she had succeeded. Radiant with happiness, to see once again that with faith in yourself can really be THAT seems impossible. ANYONE would believe that a person with FOUR PROSTHESIS COULD ride a bike? WAS THERE I showed that if possible. COLLEEN, as happy as I, running for ANYONE who recorded the deed. GRAPHIC WOULD BE A WITNESS FOR PATIENTS skeptic or little effort. I wanted to get Chile to show this to RICARDO! JUST THINK ABOUT YOUR HAPPINESS AND PRIDE made me smile.
THAT WAS NOT ONLY I could do at my second state in MOSS. PUT ME SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY GLAD TO KNOW, THROUGH Mario, the Institute will have a driving school could assess whether WHERE I WAS SUITABLE FOR DRIVING A CAR. Before the crash I did, but only very slightly. NEAR CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY PARKING IS HARD TO FIND, SO MUCH MORE TO ME WAS CONVENIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT. WEEKENDS AND ALMOST ALWAYS WAS RICARDO Who drives. But now things had changed: i would be very hard to climb on a bus or the subway and I did not want depend on others to Mobilize. WAS DRIVING ME PLEASE, SO I asked Maria that I reserve a time for evaluation, and did so.
DRIVING SCHOOL LOOKS about fifteen blocks from the hospital, and so Maria offered to take her in his jeep. As we approached I try to remember it is handled. Had been nearly a year since the last time I did. WELL, IF I COULD Bicycling, WHY CAN NOT I’LL DRIVE A CAR?, THOUGHT FOR GIVE ME CONFIDENCE.
IN AN OFFICE OF THE SECOND FLOOR WE EXPECTED DAN, MI >, a slender man with a mustache RUBIO. MARY LEFT ME AND WENT WITH HIM. I pick you up in an hour, he said, smiling. As he knew me well, you probably noticed my nervousness. KNOW FOR ME was paramount that I was able to handle.
Dan took me to a room where asked me some questions about my background AUTOMOTIVE AND TRAFFIC LAWS ON CHILEAN. Then I to “sit in a chair with pedals THAT WAS TO TIGHTEN EVERY TIME RED light comes. REFLECTIONS WERE MY GOOD said. That meant I was ready to go PRACTICE IN A REAL CAR.
GIVE ME IN THE PARKING LOT WAS SHOWING THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF CARS AND ADJUSTMENTS BELIEVED THAT COULD SERVE ME MI.
– I WOULD LIKE ONE WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE ADAPTATIONS “I asked.
– Okay. AS REQUIRED ALL YOUNG M ISMO, “he laughed.
CHOOSE A AUTO and got, I IN THE PILOT’S SEAT. It felt strange at the wheel, BUT TO GIVE IN TOUCH AND WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE FUI remember everything. ONLY we strolled through the parking lot.
– CAN NOT LEAVE THE STREETS WITHOUT A LICENSE TO DRIVE YOUR explained to me Dan.
AND WHILE THE RIDE WAS SHORT, I felt very comfortable with the feeling And I did right. What would Dan? I could not help Inquiries regarding off the engine.
– OF COURSE you’ll be able HANDLE! On your next trip bring your practice a little LICENSE AND IN THE STREETS, NOT GOING TO HAVE ANSWERED NO PROBLEM-VERY SAFE.
BRAVO! Had given a new step towards independence.
DAY NUMBER TWENTY WOKE UP MY BIRTHDAY discouragement. WAS used to the singing and FELICITACINES my parents and Sister. AND THEN TO GET TO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EXPECT ME GREETINGS FROM MY FRIENDS. BUT NOW I promised to be BORING, SHORT OF CHILE, THE FRIENDS OF RICHARD. How wrong I was! VERY EARLY the phone rang and heard a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! In chorus, were my companions at the university who called to congratulate him. THEY RETURNED TO TALK TO ME THE JOY. THEN the phone rang once, twice, a dozen times. He had never been so healthy.
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Since the previous afternoon, my grandmother, THAT was accompanied by a few weeks, is busy RICA PREPARATION OF CAKE strudel. BEFORE GOING TO BREAKFAST OPENED YOUR SUITCASE and started taking an incredible amount of packages.
– TE LOS SEND YOUR FAMILY “he explained.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE GIFTS WERE SUITCASE. DEAR ALL HAD TO SEND ME SOMETHING THAT I KNEW THAT will remember me. I amused myself test various CONTAINED IMMEDIATELY AND I PUT MUSIC COMPACT SENT BY MY BROTHERS.
-SHOT, THIS CARD YOU WILL LIKE “she said handing me a large envelope.
I opened it with CARE AND I read … AGE OF RICHARD. My smile was immediate. Told me I missed and gave me courage to continue FORWARD.
MOSS TO GET TO ALL She hugged There were some gifts waiting. LUNCH FOR MY GRANDMOTHER TOOK strudel cake to share with all. GRINGOS FOR A NEW ERA OF FILMS THAT SEPARATED BY MASS CRISP MANJAR, delight that few knew. Would crowd ASK THE RECIPE TO MY GRANDMOTHER.
In one of my spare time between therapy and Therapy, I WENT TO CHECK MY EMAIL. Had collapsed; MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE HUNDREDS. EVERYONE had remembered me! At day’s end I decided it was the best birthday BEEN ALL MY LIFE.
AGAIN nice things happened to me made me ALWAYS BE SURE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES GOOD TO BE HAPPY. I remembered an observation heard EVER AT SCHOOL: >
ANOTHER TRIP ENDS
Esquenazi DOCTOR HAD BEEN NEARLY TWO WEEKS OUT OF PHILADELPHIA, at a conference. When he returned, LATE AUGUST, WHICH WAS FOUND NOTHING WAS BEING PLANNED: PROSTHESES of my legs was not ready and that of the hands were aching.
– DANIELA, Your State will have to extend for a week to resolve these issues. YOU CAN NOT RETURN TO CHILE AS WELL. WOULD YOU care? – I wonder.
I said no. ALREADY had suspected for days.
MY MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER AND TIRED I left that meeting, but resigned. We walked back into the house.
“I’m exhausted,” my Granny. I’ll get PAJAMA altiran, TOTAL, NOT GOING TO LEAVE AGAIN.
“Okay, I’ll cook dinner-RESPODIÓ MY MOTHER.
“And I’m going to stay up reading in my room,” he added.
He was absorbed in my reading When I hear a noise. WAS AN ALARM AND THE HOUSE IS FULL OF WHITE AND RED LIGHTS. What happened? AND I WAS AFRAID I stopped into the kitchen, where I found my mom and my ABUELITA desperately trying to press a lever TO SAY >.
– WHAT HAPPENED? – Shouted questions, I try to take NOISES HEARD ON THE ALARM.
– NOTHING, DANI, nonsense-RESPODIÓ MY MOTHER. Look, Mom! THERE IS NO OTHER HANDLE, WE WILL ALSO TIGHTEN.
– BUT WHAT IS THAT ALARM? WHY NOT SHUT UP? – I asked again.
– AY, what happens is that it was preparing steaks THEN move it out of SKILLET I took a jet of water to wash it. STILL HOT AS ESTBA fumes are formed and activated the fire alarm, “he explained MY MOTHER.
– NOW PRESSING defuse these levers SAY > – Added my grandmother.
THE GATEWAY burst open, and two men appeared uniformly black, SENIOR like basketball.
– WHERE’S THE flaming? – Questions SHOUTING.
They began to search EVERYTHING. Another pair of man entered behind them.
“OK … THE TRUTH IS THAT NO FIRE-try to explain my MOM.
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– HOW? “A FALSE ALARM? – They looked ANGRY.
– NO! I WAS COOKING AND …
– WILL BE BURNED FOOD. TYPICAL!
My mother glared WHILE MY GRANDMOTHER I tried to close his robe as possible.
– WHY JUST TODAY I thought of wearing PAJAMA TEMPRONO? – Said desperately.
The four guards around the house from top to bottom TRYING TO TURN OFF THE ALARM. But they could not.
The street door opened again and went about seven men. FIREFIGHTERS WERE!
-Receiving the call. WHERE’S THE flaming? They exclaimed.
-NO flaming He explained the guards.
– Then why WE CALL?! THINK ABOUT THAT TIME?! – Grita enraged.
– WE DO NOT CALL U.S.! – ANGRY ALSO RESPONDED guards.
– Oh no? So you explain why this activity LEVER >? – ASKED ONE OF THE FIRE THAT TARGETS THE BAR for a while before He had been investigating MY MOTHER AND MY GRANDMOTHER.
– YOU TIGHTEN IT? – Interviewing another firefighter to my grandma.
– Oh, do not! We just wanted OFF THIS THING AND …
“Grandpa, THEY DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH” I interrupted.
-GOOD, WHAT YOU WANT. Neither do I speak English, “he replied.
We do not laugh as firefighters tightened again LEVERS ACTIVATED BY MY MOTHER AND MY GRANDMOTHER. One of them MIRÓ FURISO and said:
GIVE A FALSE-ALARM IS A CRIME. THE NEXT TIME taken prisoner.
TRYING TO SETTLEMENTS look serious, but the laughter escapes us. It was so ridiculous!
FINALLY silence returned and the men began to leave the house. WHEN was the last, the three farms in laughter.
“Grandma, TE VOY A GRANDFATHER THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEXY dress well for a lot of strange men,” I said.
WERE laughing himself to sleep.
She returned to Chile a few days later and my mom and I go back behind the SOLAS, hope that Howard and Frank could fix my prosthesis. BUT despite their best efforts, I can DRAWERS. LEGS WERE A LITTLE more tolerable, but he was still aching IF USABA long. AND YET I used to Myoelectric HANDS I do not like how I looked with them and still gave me Moreton. Try to give little importance SOPHISTICATED AND WOULD LATER TIME DURING MY NEXT TRIP. ALSO, STILL HAD THE FIRST PROSTHESIS, AND SUCH YES I sat.
ALEGRE, said goodbye to FRIENDS OF MOSS AGAIN see them several months later. My love and thank them was solid, we were joined by permanent bonds.
The return trip was placid. MY MOTHER TO SOME PROBLEMS WE HAD TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW CASES & PROSTHETICS, BUT COULD FINALLY hugged MY DAD AND RICHARD AND FROM HOME.
ANOTHER trip ends. Was incredible how the months passed and passed. HE COULD NOT STOP IN THE WHOLE year, I thought. Time was moving NOW TO HAVE to resume my medical studies. I met with Dr. Cristina Rigo-RIGHI TO PLAN MY REHABILITATION AND AGREE THAT FROM NOW ON GO WOULD BE ENOUGH THREE TIMES PER WEEK TO TELETÓN. And come October had to devote HUNDRED PERCENT MY STUDIES, THERAPY leave.
RESUME MY STUDIES.
Had just six weeks to get used to go back to the university before they reach the date of my DRAWBACK OFFICIAL. Had been kept pending three chapters DERMATOLOGY, RHEUMATOLOGY AND THAT OF Endocrinology. FURTHER, should prepare the final exams, that included everything LEARNED DURING THE YEAR, AND COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE FIELD DUE TO BE ABLE TO RUN MASTER IN HOSPITAL. AGAIN I started very nervous. How could catch up IN JUST MONTH AND A HALF? BUT WHAT WAS my inability to concentrate; LOOKING texts and I found written in Chinese. HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE UNDERSTANDING plasma electrolytes? OR WHAT WAS hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? TWELVE MONTHS WITHOUT A BOOK OF MEDICINE TAKE ME WERE PASSING THE ACCOUNT. My neurons seemed to be asleep and refused to work. HOW I would make? Shame! Gave me the opportunity to return and I was going to fail for knowing nothing.
Then came the great day, the formal REGRESP MY SCHOOL. I was not able refuge in my old comrades; MY NEW YEAR WAS. HOW DO I receive? I HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE IN MY MIND. Enter the courtroom, I sat in the front row and devoted myself to watching and listening. PEOPLE WERE UNKNOWN, laughed, and I did not know what. Certainly be a cohesive group, were together since first year. HOW would be integrated?
AT END OF CLASS AND DURING THE RECESS Several people came to greet him with great sympathy. I recognized some faces of those who had shared with me EARLY YEARS AND THEN HAD REPEATED. I also reconnected with classmates and university activity. I felt calmer. REINTEGRATION WOULD NOT SO DIFFICULT AFTER ALL.
MY FIRST MORNING IN THE HOSPITAL also exciting. MY DAD took me to about eight, he accompanied me to get my scooter, which was in charge of the guards at the university, and ME WAS CENTRAL TO THE POST. There I met CORRESPODÍA WORK ABOUT ME.
– Good thing you came! Finally the group is completely “I was told with warmth.
He walked me SAVE MY SCOOTER AND TOGETHER WE WERE THE FLOOR OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. Glad to be back, but still could not overcome my shyness FROM THE SICK, so I kept the COLA of my colleagues, without leaving THEM. FINALLY ARRIVED TO THE DOCTOR AND WE WOULD BE OUR GUARDIAN APPOINTED TO EACH PATIENT. There was no escape. Fearing the reaction of the patient, I went a little diffident, I introduced myself. His first words were An exclamation of fact:
– BUT IF I KNOW YOU LA! RICO WHAT CAN SEE IN PERSON.
EMPARIZAMOS IMMEDIATELY. I realized that having been hospitalized helped me understand PATIENTS BETTER. Who would have imagined! NOT ONLY AT THE END HAD NO PROBLEMS, BUT, thanks to my experience, my relationship with Who suffered was much more profound and enriching.
AS the days went by I WAS NOTING THAT ALL FORGOT what I thought languished in a corner of my memory. WHEN YOU GET MY CONFIDENCE, MY COLLEAGUES TO LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS SPEAK OR OF ANY ITEM, suddenly there it was! RECOGNIZED MY MIND THE TERMS, established relations, understood conversations. WELL, IT WAS ME BEING INCREASINGLY easier to study, but I was appalled by the amount of material that had accrued in no time. I concentrated on to catch up. Marked a year of my accident and I did not realize thanks to the commitment FORWARD TO GETTING MY CAREER. I thought that I would AFFECT MORE DATE, BUT WAS NOT SO.
Furthermore, integration MY NEW COURSE was booming. I felt so welcome that I COULD EVEN BE PART OF A STUDY GROUP TO WHICH I joined prepare for exams. But they also kept ties with my former colleagues. WITH PAULA MACA AND TAKE THE SAME COURSE FOR ELECTIVE able to see us every week.
THE SCOOTER HAD BEEN AN EXCELLENT IDEA. Every morning I went with my DAD to university and got to my cart. NO PROBLEMS SO I moved CENTRAL TO THE POST WHERE YOU SAVED kept walking in the hospital using my stick. TWELVE AND HOW TO RETURN TO SEARCH AND MEDIA He returned MEDICINE BUILDING. AGLUNOS DAY LUNCH WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND OTHER NEW WITH MY OLD COURSE. She then attended a couple of classes, took notes WHERE NO PROBLEMS, AND THEN I went home. Sometimes I HAPPENED TO FIND MY MOTHER AND OTHER I turned with a colleague. Everything works WONDERS!
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THE FIRST TEST WAS ON DERMATOLOGY yielding. WAS A MONDAY, SO I SPENT THE WEEKEND STUDYING FULL; had to go OK. WHEN I GET THE QUESTIONS, ANSWER HAPPY BECAUSE I started I realized that my efforts had not been in vain. Then came the CHAPTERS of Rheumatology and Endocrinology and also performed well. But lacking the hard part: the final exams.
AT THE END OF FOURTH YEAR MEDICAL EXAMS ARE THREE answerable. IN THE FIRST STUDENT TO BE ASSIGNED TO A PATIENT TO KNOW AND THEN GO TO EXAMINE WHERE A COMMITTEE OF PHYSICIANS ENFERMENDADES Asked about the patient, possible treatments, complications, prognosis, and the like. THE SECOND IS A TEST PRACTICE CONSISTING OF SEVERAL STATIONS WHERE STUDENTS HAVE TO GO addresses issues relating to the matters LEARNED ALONG THE YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE WITH RADIOGRAPHS relationships other than the diseases. BUT ITS difficulty is that IT IS AGAINST THE TIME, THERE ARE ONLY FIVE MINUTES PER STATION. AND THE LAST IS A TEST ON THE SUBJECT OF WRITTEN both semesters. WHICH WAS THAT worries me most with patients. I’ve never liked the oral exams, get angry.
AND, OF COURSE, THE FIRST WAS I picked RENDER THE PATIENT WITH ORAL EXAMINATION, AND, DESPITE ME THAT voice shook, I did well. THEN CAME THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION STATIONS WITH THAT BECAUSE I HAD TO GIVE ONE COULD NOT RUN OF STATION TO ANOTHER AT THE SAME SPEED OF MY COLLEAGUES. Quietly left with the impression of having done WELL. THE LAST REVIEW WAS WRITTEN, despite not be easy, I thought I APPROVED.
A COUPLE OF DAYS Results are published. MADE ME THE WAIT IS ETERNAL. FAILING PUPILS be repeated orally and appear before a committee. SINGLE FACE POSSIBILITY OF A COMMISSION. SINGLE FACE POSSIBILITY OF A COMMISSION AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS me shivering. MEINTRAS begged rid of that torture, a fellow phoned me and told me my notes. Approved it ALL! I had it! NOW FORMALLY WAS A pupil in the second year of medicine. Had resumed my career, so important to me! SLOWLY MY LIFE was resuming in the same spot where he had left. I felt as if my existence was a movie paused AND TIGHTEN THAT COULD FINALLY PLAY AGAIN.
The Telethon
Telethon THAT THE YEAR 2003 WAS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 21 AND 22. AS date approached I thought I would call the institution to ask me to help the campaign, but nobody did. And indeed I was pleased, the mere possibility of appearing on TV it made me jittery.
NOVEMBER 22, SATURDAY, I SPENT THE DAY IN THE HOUSE OF RICHARD AND EVERY certain time switched on the TV TO SEE HOW THE FUND-RAISING IBA. AROUND THE EIGHT AND A HALF OF THE NIGHT, WITH RICHARD went to a bank near his home to make our contribution. A screen showing THERE SOME OF THESE PARTICIPANTS >. Suddenly, with a gesture to show their dismay, DON FRANCISCO ANNOUNCES A NEW COMPUTER: WAS ONLY HALF THE GOAL THAT WAS PROPOSED FOR THE YEAR. And less than three hours to the deadline! Disillusioned, Addressing the AUTO NO I paid attention to what he said RICHARD. How was it possible, if people knew TELETÓN THE WORK OF A GREAT WORK MANY CHILDREN IS CHANGING LIFE, THOUGHT. AND ME, THERE, doing nothing.
– RICARDO, I WANT TO GO TO THE NATIONAL STADIUM “I said, sure I would say that was crazy. STADIUM, which conducts the final stage, those hours would be crowded.
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– IF YOU WANT TO GO, I’ll go, “he replied.
VOLVIMOS THINKING OUT HOW TO DO IT FOR CASH. EN CASA DE RICARDO tell them what we PLAN TO EXPENSIVE AND FRANZ, parents and children. WAS ALSO THE SANDRA POLOLA OF FRANZ. THE THREE ARE OFFERED TO GO WITH U.S.. OSCURRECÍA and began making COLD, SO WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH ONE COUNTRY CLOTHING warmer to wear.
My parents had a visitor. When I told them I wanted to do I was told not think he would make.
– DO YOU KNOW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE NATIONAL STADIUM? Who ever made it IMPOSSIBLE, AND ALSO JUST A FEW HOURS MISSING END-SIGNAL TO MY MOTHER.
Yes, it was true, but I must go. There would be MY CONSCIENCE IS QUIET AT LEAST NOT TRYING. Much was owed to the Institution of the Telethon.
IN THE CAR OF MY MOTHER PART CARO, FRANZ, LA SANDRA RICARDO AND ME. ON THE ROAD I thought and thought they hope to achieve BUT NOT FIND THE ANSWER. ALL were equally excited and nervous, I knew it would be an ordeal our way.
We parked near the entrance and we got ALL. A guard approached us.
– Is it possible to know where you going? – Ask us.
-SHE COMES TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP IN SOMETHING “said Caro, he said.
The policeman, very kind, indicates PEOPLE ACCESS Atocha. WE headed there.
ENTRY, besides being full of people, was guarded by guards who blocked their advance.
-NEVER-SAID WE MADE WITH SYMPATHY.
Then someone approached me.
– Are you DANIELA GARCIA?
– Yes, I am! “I replied.
He told he came, and THE LORD ASKED to wait. WENT WITH ANOTHER PERSON, SOMEONE WHO COULD CONTACT THE SCENARIO said. SPOKE FOR A KIND OF WALKIE-TALKIE AND THEN WE ORDERED to follow him.
– Hey, wait for! NO let us in! – FRANZ shouted in unison, LA CARO AND SANDRA.
I felt like a movie star when I told THEY GUARD Come with me. FIVE finally entered.
IN LARGE HALL AGAIN we had to stop. DOZENS of people circulate from one side to another without DOUBT THAT CONCERNED everything works fine. RATO WENT TO MR.
“Sorry, but the scene is currently cornered. YOU CAN NOT go there informed me.
GENTLY offered us stood there And TRACK FROM THERE what happened. ONE SIDE I relaxed. Apparently, it was over. PENÁNDOME BUT STILL FEEL THAT HE SHOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, something is missing.
When we were alone we started down the corridor and we encountered a large staircase going down. There was someone standing there and asked where I was going SCALE. THE SCENARIO, he said. THE FIVE we look and we did not say anything else, began to fall. Was very long and terminates in a dark hallway. Move forward and we find another staircase, but THIS came up.
At the top we realized THAT was just below the stage.
Another sea of people ran FRENET GIVING ORDERS AND OF COURSE ANYONE pay attention to us, SO NO PROBLEMS CONTINUE MOVING TOWARD THE ENTRY OF THE STAGE. ALMOST TO GET SOMEONE approached us.
– WHAT ARE YOU HERE? – WE ASKED déconcerter.
I introduced myself and told him I wanted some help, in whatever it was. PERSON looked at me in astonishment, he disappeared and returned with a guy I seemed to know. Was nothing less than ARANEDA RAFAEL, THE animated television. I repeated my story and I said he would see what to do. HOW MANY TIMES MORE THAT WOULD REPEAT THE SAME? YA I felt ridiculous. ALSO, Would it help to WHAT I WAS DOING? Or was just a waste of time? TYPICAL ARANEDA returned with his smile from ear to ear and told me I prepare to go on stage in a few minutes. IF THERE scares me. “Onstage? How SAY WHAT? TEMBLAR SOLE AND FELT BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH. I told Ricardo to please not leave me alone.
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“I will not” she said smiling calmly.
After five or ten minutes and we were still standing at the side entrance of the stage. My nerves I ate. IS COMING AGAIN TO TELL YOU RAFAEL ARANEDA Almost there. CONTRAST TO USE MORE THAN UO NERVES COULD NOT, SO PLEASE DO NOT make me difficult questions. WISH YOU WERE CLOSED FOR THESE QUESTIONS, WHICH ONE ANSWER YES OR NO.
“Do not worry” she said and disappeared without smiling.
I felt that it was time to climb, So grab RICHARD HAND AND MORE did not release her. Every time he posted a step of the staircase leading to SMALL scene would my nerves. He returned WHAT IF? There was still time … LOOK RICARDO Afraid. He was also nervous. Suddenly I saw ARANEDA AND DON FRANCISCO RAFAEL lit by LAMPS HUGE. SOMEONE guided us to the opposite extreme, as we drove I HEARD A DON FRANCISCO tell my story. As he spoke, did not fly a fly. I, meanwhile, looked without distinguishing more than a mass. MUCH OF PEOPLE! SIGHT We lost in the crowd. Blinding lights SUDDENLY WE FELL ON AND DON FRANCISCO began to close. I wonder what he wanted to say, and before I realized it was an open question-what I most feared, “I started to answer. I DO NOT AGREE THAT SAID NOTHING, AND IF WE WERE ONLY A FEW MINUTES ON STAGE, FOR ME IT WAS AS IF THE WEATHER HAS BEEN ARRESTED.
TO LEAVE the stage awaits us CARO, FRANZ AND SANDRA. I told them I did not remember well he had said and started making fun of ME. TALKING PURE FISH HEADS! I laughed at the very moment when some people of the organization are approximate for thanks and a medal, he received the SAME ARTISTS. I was delighted, having complied with my own goal, serve or NO. WAS PAID IN PART WITH MY GREAT DEBT TELETÓN.
We stayed until the end and go home. My parents had recorded our participation, so I could calmly listen to my words. HAD SPOKEN WITH THE HEART, AND HOPE THAT THE TRUTH HAS done some good. COST ME TO BED sleep. REVIVED AGAIN AND AGAIN, WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT. AND EACH TIME I wore HAPPIER HE WAS HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAD DONE. I was DONE.
MY LIFE CONTINUES.
I still remember my first weeks in the hospital when I thought I’d be able to resume my studies in a couple of months, the dentures would replace COMPLETELY LOST THE PARTIES THAT everything will be exactly as before. What a mistake! ALL changes, nothing is as it once was.
Before the crash could say that my existence was fairly normal. Lived with my family, and has studied POLOLA he had chosen. PREOCUPACINES HIGHS WERE MY TEST NEXT WEEK OR SO Tonteras. Had many plans, I was happy. It’s amazing how suddenly, in a second, everything changed. THE SHOW NOTICIEROS horrible tragedy, and though we AFFECTING NEVER THINK THAT CAN HAPPEN TO U.S.. WHY WE ARE A we will believe that kind of being invulnerable?
My life now is very different. VERY different from what would have imagined FOR ME. But I learned something very important: not because it is DIFFERENT MEANS TO BE POOR. NOT IN OUR LIVES BECAUSE SOMETHING TERRIBLE happen dor MEANS THAT IN FUTURE NOT AGAIN BE JOYS.
SINCE THE ACCIDENT HE HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN EVER LOOK OF believe there was, I have met wonderful people, I am much closer to my family, my friends and RICARDO. Each achievement I have reached, EVERY THING I’VE LEARNED NEW brought me the greatest joys I’ve felt in my life. LIVE NOW NOTHING MORE, I do not worry OF THAT BEFORE banal kept me awake. Enjoy over simple things, VALUE THE FRIENDSHIP AND CARE.
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MY GOALS REMAIN THE SAME AS I WAS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. STILL WANT TO BECOME A GOOD DOCTOR, both in knowledge and in my relationship with patients. I want to marry and raise a family, being a good mother. But most importantly, I WANT TO BE HAPPY. I KNOW THAT THE ROAD AHEAD I SHOULD BE DIFFERENT TO THOSE WHO HAD PLANNED, probably longer, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN ME NO WHERE TO ARRIVE AS PROPOSED. Only need to endeavor.
Would he BACK TIME IF I COULD? I will always miss my hands and my legs. Were part of my and lost. But so many wonderful things HE LIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT I CAN NOT STOP THINKING THAT ALL have a meaning, a reason. Maybe later understand it better.
I can only say, as I have always THOUGHT, I THINK THAT LIFE IS A WONDERFUL GIFT, AND worth living!
EPILOGUE
CAN NOT put an end to this book. I STILL LIVING DAY TO DAY SOMETHING NEW, WORTHY TO SHARE WITH ALL. I have learned that rehabilitation is eternal, EVERY DAY CAN BE BETTER. ENOUGH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO THANK ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT THEIR GRAIN OF SAND TO ALLOW EACH ONE OF MY GOALS WILL BE CARRYING.
ALMOST A YEAR HAS PASSED FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TELETÓN AND FEEL THAT THE TIME HAS PASSED AS A simple blink. After appearing on TV again I had to hide from the media. I just wanted a quiet life, I HAVE NO ARTIST’S PASTA. THANKS TO MY FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSITY, who put in a protective wall around me, return to normalcy.
The summer of 2004 I went back to Philadelphia. THERE COULD FINALLY Fix PROSTHESIS how much pain causes me. NOW USE WITHOUT THE PROBLEMS AND CAN NOT SEE WHAT YOU ARE ADVANCED AND SOPHISTICATED. SEGUÍ ALSO DRIVING COURSE WITH DAN AND I found myself in Chile with a certificate accrediting me SUITABLE FOR DRIVING A CAR.
Once in Chile began the process, FEW WERE NOT FOR GETTING MY LICENSE TO DRIVE. Paperwork AFTER I GOT THE INDEPENDENCE AND IS INCREDIBLE THAT MAKES ME; Now I have to ask anyone which leads me to somewhere. ONLY NOTE: I WILL QUIT!.
AS TO THE UNIVERSITY, I have attended all year as a regular student and that makes me VERY HAPPY. I’m finishing THE FIFTH YEAR AND BEGIN NEXT my internship. I do not feel DISADVANTAGED WITH RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUES. I would even say is the reverse, because I no longer STRESS CMC did before. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE THE RACE AND PICKED TO YES. AND I DID A CONSCIENCE, I LOVE THAT STUDY MEDICINE AND Weighs more than before.
STILL DOES NOT KNOW wants to specialize After finishing the Internship. BUT DO NOT FEEL THAT HAVE narrowing options. TO THE CONTRARY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT SPECIALTIES as interesting as physiatry, AND HAS NEVER DONE IF THERE HAD THE ACCIDENT.
MY FAMILY has slowly returned to what it was before. NO LONGER everything revolves around what happens to me, but we are a more homogeneous group AGAIN, WHERE EACH MATTER EQUALLY. BUT ITS STILL UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND SUPPORT, I KNOW I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON THEM.
RICHARD WITH FIVE YEARS WE WILL MEET TOGETHER. WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAD SUFFERED MUCH THAT SCARE Our relationship is over. AFTER ALL, just a courtship, they were unmarried. RICARDO NO had no obligation stayed with me. But he did. AND stood by me even in moments where neither I wanted to be ME. WAS THE FIRST TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED, EVEN BEFORE ME, AND HELPED ME ACCEPT ME TOO. Always going to be thankful.
SIGO bicycling. FOR CHRISTMAS 2003 My parents give me A WITH DOUBLE PEDAL POWER FOR RICHARD. NOW GO TO THE SAME PLACES TO WHICH WE WERE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. BEING RICH AFTER ALL KNOW THAT WHAT HAPPENED SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME.
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POR FIN feel I have over the reins OF MY LIFE. AND REMEMBER I CAN NOT STOP THE DOCTOR’S SENTENCE Esquenazi THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM:
YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU WANT TO MAKE OF IT.
SANTIAGO, October 2004.