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Gregor Rasp , Thailand Aug 07, 2024
Fig: Look at the bright side - Image created by AI Copilot | Designer
After my cycling accident, I woke up in the ICU from a 17-day coma and realized everything had changed. I had lost about 15 kg (33 lbs), dropping from 75 kg (165 lbs) to 59 kg (132 lbs). Since I was in good shape before, most of that weight loss was muscle, not fat. In other words, there wasn't much left of me, and my fitness had vanished along with the kilos (pounds). I could barely move my arms and was so weak that I needed help with everything, even holding a spoon.
No grudges
Interestingly, I wasn't upset about my situation and didn't hold any grudges against the drunk driver who hit me front-on in broad daylight. It is what it is, and I must deal with it to move forward.
Blame is unproductive; my energy is better spent on recovery and rebuilding.
I had two options: I could either be miserable and angry every day, or I could make the best of it, be happy to be still alive, and see what I could do to recover, regain strength, and get out of the hospital.
One tiny step at a time
Determined to regain my strength, I had to start small, initially using the TV remote as a makeshift weight. Working with the hospital's physiotherapists, we came up with a plan that I followed diligently (being a certified personal trainer helped!), only skipping workouts when I was too tired and needed rest. That’s how I began my journey back to fitness, one tiny step at a time.
After 63 days in the hospital, I was finally discharged, somewhat fit for daily life. However, I still needed a lot of training to return to a reasonable functional level (again, being a certified personal trainer helped!). Athleticism would be out of the picture for a while—now, after a decade and several more obstacles, I am finally picking it up again.
A fundamental lesson
I had just learned a fundamental life lesson that set me on the path to fulfillment and happiness (I still follow it): always look on the bright side, focus on what you have rather than what you’ve lost, and make the best of every situation. Maybe I’m privileged to see opportunities where others see obstacles, no matter how adverse things get.
Taking on Global Fast Fit: Greg's Story
Finding Strength in the Struggle: A Story of Recovery and Resilience
John F. Groom
3 months ago
Interestingly, I wasn't upset about my situation and didn't hold any grudges against the drunk driver who hit me front-on in broad daylight." That is interesting. I would certainly not have felt the same way. I hate people who cause destruction in innocent people like yourself in that sort of careless, drunken way.
I understand what you're saying about wanting to use your energy to be recover instead of being angry, and that's laudable, but there is another side of that.
If people are not punished, or at least held accountable for their actions, they tend to keep doing them. This is especially the case for things like drunk driving. I'll be that was not the first time that guy had been driving drunk. If he had been in jail from previous incidents, he would not have hit you.
And if he was not punished for hitting you, that means he's free to injure others in the future.
There's also a basic question of justice here.
Gregor Rasp
3 months ago
Alright, with this post, I believe I have discussed this topic enough. This concludes my series of articles on motivation, resilience, overcoming obstacles, and dealing with adversity.
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