Sharing my story here in the hopes it gives one of you the strength and courage you need.
3 months ago I was rear-ended while riding my motorcycle home from work. I flipped over the handlebars, and then the bike flipped over on top of me. The impact force shattered my femur, damaged my spleen, broke a bunch of ribs and cracked several vertebrae. It probably would have been fatal if I hadn't received 4 units of blood and been wearing a fully-armored jacket and helmet.
I was hospitalized for 16 days and ended up getting a spleen embolization and ORIF surgery to fixate my leg. Losing independence for basic human functions made me realize how much I valued it. For a time, I could not move, piss/shit, or shower without help from someone else. It was humiliating. I give the hospital nursing crew credit because they have a tough job, but there is simply no replacement for I need to use the bathroom right now but nobody is available to help me get out of this bed.
Eventually I graduated from bedridden to a walker, and from there to crutches. I moved around the hospital and saw and spoke to the other patients. Many had difficult life circumstances--homelessness, substance abuse, no family or friends--and had grown used to having the care that the hospital provided. They were there because someone was paying attention to them and caring for them. They did not want to leave, and some of the nurses spoke to them as if they had known them for a long time and seen them repeatedly.
I knew this was not the path for me. I knew that I had to fight every day to conquer my injuries, and that it was going to be a long and arduous battle. I committed myself to PT and healthy living and was discharged with a fighter mindset that I had to overcome this.
I'm now 3 months post-accident. I can walk with a gimp although moving after being stationary for awhile is painful. My PT is a sadist and I love & embrace that. I reward myself with ice cream sandwiches which have milk that I've been told contains protein and calcium, great for bone healing. God bless and good luck to you and I hope your journey takes you to your desired destination.
(Pics: Day of accident, 1 week post, 1 month post, 3 months post)