I have the best friends a person could ask for
A few weeks ago I (26f) fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a major nerve injury to my knee, leaving me with peroneal neuropathy (below the knee paralysis) and “drop footâ€. I just got home from the hospital and have been having a very hard time adjusting (my injury is most likely permanent). Everything is difficult, clumsy, painful, and exhausting. I bought an ankle brace online but the straps broke within 3 days of use and it won’t stay on. I physically cannot walk without some kind of brace for my lower leg and knee. Without that, I am wheelchair bound. My house is not fully handicap accessible yet. It’s a work in progress and it’s all happening so fast.
I was just venting to my online friend group in a discord call about how annoyed I am with this whole ordeal. I mentioned how frustrated I feel with myself, adjusting to life with this kind of disability, and the inconvenience of it all. I mentioned that I wanted to find a more sturdy brace that is more appropriate for long term use and gives me more knee stability. I am an artist and decided to launch a Labor Day sale to raise money for my new brace and any other medical devices I may need.
Before I could even catch on to what was happening, my entire friend group pooled their money together to buy me a very expensive KAFO brace, the exact kind I need for my condition. I have never in my life felt so loved, cared for, and appreciated by anyone other than my partner and parents. I was floored. These are the best friends I’ve ever had.
My mom spent all day on the phone advocating for me, trying to see if my insurance will pay for a new medical brace and in-home assistance for me. When I told her what my friends did for me, she broke down crying. Now I’m sitting here sobbing as I write this because I am having so many feelings of happiness, grief, gratitude, and sadness. I am overwhelmed.
I love my friends. I couldn’t have asked for better people. I don’t know what I did to deserve them.
Met on Reddit three years ago, celebrating our one year anniversary today!
Known each other for three years, friends for two years before getting together, living together for a month! I wouldn’t want to go through life with anyone else! I love you u/Eternal_Shitshow â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸