Taking for Granted

Many times in life we get a wake-up call, and this one was obviously a biggie for me.

I love the outdoors: hiking, climbing mountains, mountain bike, as long as I can breathe in fresh air with great views, I am in my element. Unfortunately I had a mountain bike accident a few years ago, and that changed my life significantly. In the process, I almost lost the use of my hand completely. Every ligament in my hand was torn off.

I had no idea how serious it was, so by the time I got to a hand specialist he explained to me that if I do not have an operation in the next few days, the bones in my hand will fuse with my wrist, and I will never regain the use of my hand again. (This took three weeks, four doctors and a lot of convincing from my family to get to this point…)

Needless to say, he scared me into oblivion, and despite my debilitating fear of doctors, I was operated two days later. It was a gruelling operation and took the greatest deal of the day to complete. I am very squeamish, so I am not going to go into detail here, but for the brave ones, you can Google :”scapho-lunate dissociation, tendon harvest , tendon synophectomy,  arthrotomy and reconstruction” procedures. My entire hand had to be rebuild, sinew was harvested, holes were drilled and tissues were connected (this is the short non-medical version).

After rebuilding my hand, it still took a year before I regained the full use of it again. Every muscle had to learn how to function again and it took a lot of tears, frustration, months of physio therapy, excruciating pain and determination, until I was able to clutch an object again.

But as always, we only realize what we have after we (almost) lose it. After 30 years in construction, I finally had to face the fact that a change in my life is necessary. During the recovery period I realised that I have a gift that I am not using, and the fear of never being able to use my hand again, made me even more determined to take up art after my recovery.

Not only was I left handed now, but also only one handed, which had serious challenges in itself! I started drawing with my left hand, and quickly realized that I was ambidextrous, although I think anyone could learn to do it, since we use the same brain, just a different tool. Imagine the people who had to learn to draw with their mouths or feet! There is always sooooo much to be thankful for.

I am so grateful that I have fully recovered and was able to pursue my art career. I am now a professional artist since 2019, and my career has taken me to amazing places, helped me grow and meet incredible people. I am consciously trying to never take anything for granted ever again.

#takingforgranted

Click here to read more of my blogs: https://www.annemieodendaal.gallery/blog