Lessons from the Past: Revisiting a Mistaken Day and its Impact

Life is full of teachable moments, and some of those lessons learn the hard way. For me, there was a specific day in elementary school that changed everything briefly but left a lasting memory.

The Day Elementary School Changed Everything

As a child, I often took the wrong message to heart. For instance, when a teacher didn't properly explain why my statement was incorrect, I used to believe that plaque was a protective layer for teeth. It didn't help that I encountered a warped understanding of many things due to the witty or unclear explanations of my educators.

Specific Day, Specific Mistake

There was a particular day in elementary school that sparked a chain of unfortunate events. I went along with something I knew was wrong but didn't have the courage to correct at the time. This day, I missed school—excused myself from the ice-cold classroom and took a long walk around town to think. When asked why, I could have easily replied, ‘school was boring.’

Now, let's be realistic—doing this would have likely got me in deep trouble. I would probably be grounded for a year, but on the bright side, I wouldn't end up swinging golf balls at my neighbors' house out of sheer boredom and frustration.

The Incident that Changed My Life

It all came to a head on March 18, 1989. I was hit by a car while I was out, which presented a series of challenges that I had to face. Over 291 days, the experiences I went through reshaped not just my physical self but also my perception of the world and myself. I made my body symmetrical, and my cerebral palsy, a condition that affects the nervous system, was on my right side.

Symmetry and Cerebral Palsy

The accident on that fateful day left a significant portion of my right hip embedded in my left forearm, creating a dead space in my nervous system. My left hand, currently without a circulatory system, is a stark reminder of the physical changes my body underwent. I now have most of my pain in my dominant left side, as my right side is hardly used anymore.

Memories and Reflections

When I reflect on that day, it's clear that a multitude of factors contributed to the outcome. The fact that I missed school and the impulsive actions that followed set me on a path of self-reflection and understanding. If I had walked a bit slower, a bit faster, or even if the owner of the nearby diner had noticed my condition and called for help, perhaps I would have avoided such a severe accident.

Years later, when posing in front of a bar named SID’S, I thought I was doing something fun and casual. However, the jacket I was wearing in front of the bar was cut open by EMTs, which happened to be on a hitting-the-neighbor's-golf-balls-out-of-boredom level of fun.

Lessons Learned

There are lessons from that day that I carry with me daily. First, I learned the importance of not taking the wrong message to heart and speaking up if something doesn’t seem right. I also learned that actions have consequences, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is walk away.

The experience on that day has made me more resilient and has instilled in me the wisdom to recognize when to walk away from something that doesn't add value to my life. These life lessons have helped me navigate the challenges I face with cerebral palsy and have made me a better person overall.

Conclusion

Life is a series of lessons, and sometimes, the hardest ones come from the most unexpected moments. By revisiting those pivotal days and the lessons they taught us, we can grow and evolve into the best versions of ourselves.