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susan peplow
climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Wendy, thank you for taking the time to re-connect with the ST cyber family. Hearing of your progress and candid thoughts of recovery brings more to the community than the various trolls, political talk and whatever else is normally going on here.
I'm sure I'm speaking for many when wishing you the best in whatever these next chapters will bring you. Medical school, kayaking, writing or deciding to fish and live in a van by the river... we want to hear about it.
Everyone here is adventurers at heart, stay with us. Better yet, guide us!
~Susan
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
SF Bay Area
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Well, my left leg is much weaker overall than my right leg and I don't really have left-quad function. So when I walk up and down steps, I always lead with my right leg and lift my left leg to match it (i.e. I take steps one at a time as opposed to raising one leg to take the next step). I've gotten used to geriatrics blazing past me :)
So to answer your question, I think I could climb easy stuff if I wanted to, if I were to always lead with my right foot, but I can't really put much weight on my left leg. There have been so many nights where I have stayed awake, thinking about making some kind of heroic climbing come-back with three limbs. I stand-up paddleboard without full use of both legs, so I suppose it would be possible...I've also imagined just following on aid since I used to do that with one leg anyway.
The thing holding me back isn't fear of falling or anything like that. It's more remembering how I used to climb and worrying about feeling sad, frustrated etc that my body fails me. I know this is all stuff we have to deal with as we age, but it just makes me sad that I'm having to deal with this much earlier than most people, without having that many more adventures and experiences I could have had under my belt before accepting our physical limitations and the natural aging process.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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I can't help the feeling that, even if you can't put a finger on their form right now, you still have a lot of adventures and experiences left in you after having come this far. All the best to you and please do keep us posted from time to time on what you are up to given you're now family here.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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I am glad you stopped in to share with us. I doubt I have any amazing advice to give you. It does sound like a part of you wants to get back on the rock.
My hope for you is that whatever you do you are surrounded by friends and love. That the moments of joy are there for you from time to time. Follow the road of your passion. If this turns you into a great doctor that would be very cool.
If you do go climb again I hope it brings more joy. Just being out in the vertical environment and soaking in the views with good friends might be great when it is time.
I hope so.
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bajaandy
climber
Escondido, CA
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You are inspirational! I don't know you, never met you, only vaguely remember reading about your accident, and now I'm inspired by your words and by your drive to heal yourself physically, emotionally and psychologically. And you've really touched on something that so many people just don't get... that healing is SO much more than physical. The human body is an amazing machine, and there are many, many super talented physicians and healers out there... but trauma requires healing of those aches and pains we cannot put a bandage on. You sound like you are on the healing path. All the best to you in your future endeavors, whatever they may be, whether they include climbing or not.
Andy
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BillL
Trad climber
NM
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Wendy,
Thank you for chiming in about how you are doing post-accident. In a first-order kind of way, it is helpful to a lot of folks out there who believe in a kind of self-immunity.
And second order, your paddle-board experience and attempting a career change speak volumes of you as a person. When old age finally does overcome, the accident won't have robbed you of a sense of having had a good life.
Best Wishes,
Bill L
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DanaB
climber
CT
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Hi Wendy,
Have you heard of of Paradox Sports? www.paradoxsports.org
That organization might be a good source of practical help and information. And if you can contact Malcolm Daly, one of the Founders of Paradox and an avid climber - he could be a good resource, I am sure.
Sending you all the best,
Dana Bartlett
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Wow!
Kick ass!
You're gonna be a great doctor, the empathy shown in telling us about what's up with you now will take you a long ways (I was married to a physician for 18 yrs, I can sense it in you!)
I suspect you're going to find your way back into climbing and enjoy it for whatever it is for you now.
Good luck to you, we'll be watching for updates!
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Prod
Trad climber
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31 is young. You can do whatever you want to do.
Cheers.
Prod.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The rock doesn't care what I think
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Wow... good on ya! For your tenacity in recovering, for coming back here and sharing, and for your new path of work in life!
Our paths often take strange and sometime painful (on many levels) twists. But if you are paying attention, sometimes those dark times are part of how we get to where we need to be. Wouldn't wish that accident on anyone just to further her past, but it did happen for you and it's inspiring to hear what you're taking away moving forward with it.
cheers,
Eric
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Wow...Glad to see your posting Wendy.Positivity is about the most important healing tool you can have.Keep it up and good luck with the new career choice.You and I are members of a club I think we both would rather not be a part of. http://supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1613063/Gorge-accident-9-11-11 If you ever need to converse with a fellow "Gorge Survivor" feel free to PM me.
Kirk Sager
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steveA
Trad climber
bedford,massachusetts
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Wendy,
I'm sure you already know that attitude and the human spirit can make all the difference in dealing with severe physical issues.
When I was 21, I nearly lost my foot in Vietnam. The doctor said I would never run again. At 52, I did a 5 minute mile.
I know that at your young age, your facing the prospect of dealing with significant pain, perhaps for the rest of your life, and that really sucks.
You have already shown that you have what it takes to overcome great difficulties, and I have NO doubt that if you want to change professions and become a doctor, you will succeed. As Jaybro said, you will be able to relate to many patients for obvious reasons.
I hope you are around close friends over the holidays,
Best of luck!
Steve
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Mike Friedrichs
Sport climber
City of Salt
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Wendy,
About 15 years ago I was dropped from the anchor of a 70 foot route. I burst my L1 (I could count more than 15 pieces in the xray), and also broke T9 and L2. Falling 70 feet I was lucky to be alive. I spent the whole summer in a full-length body cast.
At first, I didn't think about climbing again. I wanted to walk again. When that seemed likely, I started thinking about running again. Movement. Any kind. When it seemed like I was going to have a full, or nearly full recovery, of course I wanted to climb again.
I went on to climb often and hard, at least for me. But I never forget how lucky and fortunate I am to be able to just climb at all. When I see the tantrums at the crag from the prima donnas who fell off their project, I reflect on how lucky I am to have the perspective that just to be playing this game makes us privileged in a big way. I guess that perspective is the gift I got from my accident.
My L1 is a small fraction of its original size. I lost about a half inch. I do have pain, more so recently. It hurts to go on long hikes. I've found that posture and alignment matter a lot for me. I do yoga once or twice every week. I try to sit up straight. Yoga has really helped me.
Good luck with your path, whether it involves climbing or not. Try to find something positive that you learned from your accident. It's there if you look for it. I can tell that you are smart and thoughtful. You'll be great at anything you do.
mike
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Bargainhunter
climber
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I started med school at age 31 and had many classmates the same age and quite a few much older. So go for it Wendy!
I would second the suggestion to contact Malcolm Daly. He's a super-friendly and inspirational guy and has had more than his share of climbing mishaps...losing a leg, and then later having a heart attack while ice climbing. The story of him being shocked back to life in the back of a paramedic's rig is amazing...a few minutes later in making it to the ambulance would have meant game over for him. Read his story!
Also, Chris Kalous recently interviewed Greg Demartino on the Enormcast. Greg fell in a similar manner as you, and ultimately lost his leg, and has some other chronic pain issues. But he is back in the game and sending hard! Listen to his story on the podcast here:
http://enormocast.com/episode-11-what-has-two-arms-one-leg-and-climbs-like-a-mofo-craig-demartino/
Godspeed Wendy!
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Wen
Trad climber
Bend, OR
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Being ready to read the taco seems like the first step in returning to this sport. It may be a while, but on a larger level it shows you are healing from the emotional trauma and ready to think about the climbing world again. Slowly but surely you'll move to the next step, whatever that may be.
Your words literally give me shivers, thank you so much for sharing them. Puts so much in perspective.
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Footloose
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
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Wendy,
Unbelievable that you're still alive after that! It's proof that miracles do happen. Your story and positive attitude are an inspiration. I hope you continue to post here when you can to share and inspire.
Best wishes for your continuing progress and for everything you're going to do.
Bill
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Hooray for you to survive this ordeal! Keep working toward what you love. The desire to do what you want to do is senior to any physical limitations.
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Wendy, glad to see you make such an impressive recovery!
Read this book: "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. It may just change your life as it has mine and many others. It's a cheap and easy read.
Good luck! :)
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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WOW...After the initial reporting of your accident...It's amazing to hear you are ok and doing well...
It looks like you are doing great things with your second chance in this world. Wishing you a sweet journey ahead.
Please don't take two years to come back with news... keep us updated..
Thanks....
Cheers,
nita
ps...31 is young...enjoy.
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Wendy,
I heard about this tragic fall, saw the thread header and opened it up to see the beginnings of the story.
I couldn't read on, as much as I wanted to.
Now that I've read your side and as bad as I know a fall of this magnitude is I am glad to know that you are alright.
I cannot possibly understand the loss of climbing in one day, the pain of a fall, but I can understand the loss of climbing from ones life. To me it was like a love affair that slowly turned without me noticing the sadness and the anger at its loss. But there are all the positive memories I will have forever. All the extremely strong minded, strong willed, talented and brilliant people I would never have met without that love. I ask, who would you be if you hadn't lead your first climb? What about that one climb you did that scared the piss out of your friends when you got a little better at climbing? Who else but you knows how far you are willing to go to achieve your dreams? And the achievements both big and small are all within you even today. No fall can take that from you.
Its what you do with your life now that climbing is not in it. And knowing whatever you do is going to be good enough. After all… what else can it be?
Cheers to you Wendy. Maybe you can become that doctor and help others or, possibly even save lives. The universe of possibilities are all at your door. Its up to you to open it and begin the journey.
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