**Note from Natalie** I got teary-eyed when I received Carly’s email (good tears). I feel like she completely understood and got the message we are trying to share here with the #ownitcampaign. Thank you Carly, truly and sincerely, for sharing your message. Your words are going to help and encourage so many people. – Natalie
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I’ve been following your blog recently and love this #ownitcampaign. I have to be honest, at first I thought it was just stories of fit people having trouble and, being overweight and unable to really get down and fix it right now, I was hesitant to follow.
A year ago, December 2012, I was hit by a car while crossing the street in a crosswalk. My 2013 year was.. Well, I went to hell and back. I lost my ability to walk and function as humans should. For so long, it was hard for me to talk about let alone think about what happened. I had to learn to walk again. I had to depend on others, which is not my strong suit. I had to learn patience, my other not so strong suit.
I went through a year of surgery after surgery, being bed ridden for a good half the year. I suffer from nerve damage and drop foot in my right leg/foot. My countless doctors would find problem after problem during each surgery. Let’s just say, my legs have been butchered with giant scars as the result.
One of my biggest, and current, struggles is realizing this wasn’t my fault. The driver was texting and I was in a crosswalk. None of this is my fault. When suffering through recoveries, it’s hard to remember that. I had to learn to channel my anger as well. My loving husband became my venting/yelling at board. Thank God for him.
My big #ownit moment came the other day. My legs are covered in long, brutal scars. I’ve never been a fan of wearing shorts, especially with this extra weight, but thought I’d try some on since the weather is getting nicer. As I looked in the mirror, I saw my scars. I stood there, staring for a bit, when a large feeling of pride came over me. These are my scars. My witness that I lived through a horrific accident that should have killed me. That I’m walking, standing, turning. I lived. I fought.
My message is to those who have suffered through any horrific incident that they have no control over. This World is vast and accidents happen. Fight to survive. Fight to be tougher for those around you. Fight for you.
Thank you Natalie. Thank you for sharing your life with strangers. You’re a wonderful, kind-hearted person who is helping people like me continue on with hope.
Thanks again,
Carly Matson
This was before my final surgery. Left pic: scar on my right knee/thigh/calf. Right top: smaller scar on right knee. Right bottom: scar and dent from hematoma/tumor(randomly found during surgery for hematoma) on left upper thigh.
Update: I no longer need that leg brace! Miracles are real.
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The #OwnIt Campaign shares encouraging stories of people who are ‘owning’ their stories. It can be body-image related, personal-history related, or any personal struggle you have ‘owned’ and gained confidence from that action. You can read more about the campaign by clicking here. Use the hashtags #OwnItCampaign and #OwnIt to be featured or email ownitcampaign@gmail.com. **NOTE** It’s important you use the #ownitcampaign hashtag so we can search through that hashtag later to see your story.
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” – Brene Brown
5 Comments
Carly,
I feel like we could really swap some surgery stories, pain, frustration, victories and tears. 5 years ago I had a knee surgery that went terribly wrong. During the surgery my artery that runs behind the knee cap was severed but was not discovered until I had developed compartment syndrom. The doctors tried for almost 12 hours to get my artery repaired and thankfully they did. Amputation was looking like a real possiblity at that point. 27surgeries later I still could not walk normal, had a ton of nerve damage and had developed drop foot. I was angry about alot of things but mostly that my husband of 3 months was now having to take care of me. I had to learn to be humble and patient to put it mildly 🙂
I was finally able to have my last surgery to repair the drop foot issue and I can now walk “normal” but not for too long.
I own my scars today. I am lucky to have them!!!
Dear Carly,
Your story is so touching and inspiring. I feel like I could read it everyday that I feel a little down and that it would put me back on track. I find that we take a lot of things for granted and even walking is one of these major things, but I don’t wanna wait until I’m close to loosing it to start loving and apreciating it. Thanks to you today I feel thankful for all I have. And it makes me love even more what I love a little less about my body because it is part of me and it is working, at least and actually not so bad at all! You owned it and you help the world own it too. I will keep you in my heart Carly. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
xxx
Maude
Liz,
This brought me to tears. You explained it perfectly. I was 27 and my husband had to take care of me like I was 90 yrs old. It was terrifying, embarrassing, frustrating, and beyond what I could handle some days. And he’s still here. 🙂
I can walk “normal” again too. I actually do air quotes when people ask. What’s normal anymore right? You’re impressive! 12 yrs? I’ve had an awful time with just one. You are my inspiration. Thank you for reaching out! You should find me on Facebook! Carly Matson, my profile pic is my husband and I, close up, black and white. If you can’t find me, my email is carly.saunders@gmail.com
I love that you found me and I have someone I can talk to that really understands. That’s hard to find!
Carly
Thank you for this response Maude!
Knowing I inspired someone makes it all worth it. I took everything for granted until, one day, it was gone in a matter of seconds. I spent weeks struggling with, what if I had stepped off the curb 5 seconds later? I had some crazy moments, to say the least. Thank you and own everything about yourself! You’re wonderful! 🙂
Carly
Hello! I’ve been reading your site for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!|