u/AbjectLibrarian226

I'm 21 years old, and about a month ago I was involved in an accident that completely changed my life.

I ended up with serious injuries to my leg and hand. The physical side of recovery has been hard, but honestly, the mental side has been just as difficult.

Before this happened, I worked in construction. It wasn't just a job to me—it was something I genuinely loved. I enjoyed building things, working with concrete, demolition, being active, and feeling capable. I also played guitar as a hobby, which was a big part of who I was.

Now I spend a lot of time thinking about questions nobody can answer yet: Will I be able to return to construction? Will I regain full strength and mobility in my hand? Will I play guitar again? Will I be dealing with pain or strange sensations forever?

The doctors tell me it's still early and that recovery takes time, but fear doesn't always listen to logic. Some days I feel hopeful, and other days I feel overwhelmed by uncertainty.

I've read stories from people who survived much worse accidents and eventually rebuilt their lives. Those stories give me hope. But even with that hope, there are moments when I feel scared, frustrated, isolated, and exhausted by the constant uncertainty.

I guess I'm posting here because I would like to hear from people who have been through something similar. How did you cope with the fear? How did you handle not knowing what your future would look like? How did you stop feeling like your life was over when recovery was only beginning?

Thank you for reading.

Three months ago, I was hit by a motorcyclist while riding my bicycle. The impact threw me several meters and broke my leg. The rider fled the scene and left me lying on the road.

I thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen to me.

I was wrong.

Only three months later, I fell from a horse and suffered severe injuries to my dominant hand and leg. I spent almost five hours on the ground before anyone found me.

Those were the longest hours of my life.

I was in unbearable pain, terrified, and completely alone. I remember thinking over and over:

"I've ruined my life."

Since then, everything has changed.

Before the accident, I worked in construction, trained powerlifting and calisthenics, and lived a very active life. I was strong, independent, and always moving.

Now I spend most of my time worrying about whether I'll ever get that life back.

The surgeries were complex. Every time I read the reports, I see words that scare me.

But the hardest part wasn't the surgery.

The day after, my girlfriend left me.

She told me she wasn't capable of being with me like this.

I don't know if people will understand how much that hurt.

I was lying there injured, scared, unable to take care of myself, and facing the biggest challenge of my life. More than anything, I needed support. Instead, I lost the person I loved.

One day I had a future I was excited about.

The next, I was wondering if I would ever be able to work, train, or even feel normal again.

People keep telling me I'll get through this.

People tell me I'm young.

People tell me recovery takes time.

Maybe they're right.

I honestly don't know.

Right now I'm still in the middle of it. I'm still scared. I'm still angry.

I'm still grieving the life I had before all of this happened.

Some days I cry.

Some days I convince myself that I'll never be the same again.

I don't have a motivational ending for this story yet because I'm still living it.

Has anyone else felt this way during the early stages of recovery?

How did you get through the days when all you could think about was your injuries, your future, and everything you had lost?

What did you do to pass the time?

How did you stop yourself from constantly thinking about worst-case scenarios?

Right now, I feel like my mind is stuck in a loop of fear and uncertainty, and I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar.

What helped you the most during those first weeks and months?

I suffered a severe traumatic accident

My left hand sustained extensive damage, including tendon injuries, joint involvement, and multiple fractures that required reconstructive surgery. My knee and lower leg were also seriously injured, including damage to the ACL and fractures involving the tibia and distal fibula.

The surgeries were long and complex, and the recovery process has been overwhelming both physically and mentally. Before the accident, I was active, independent, and worked in a physically demanding job. Overnight, everything changed.

Right now, one of the hardest parts is not knowing what my future will look like. I spend a lot of time wondering whether I will ever regain full function, return to the activities I loved, or get back to the life I had before.

I know recovery takes time, but the uncertainty is difficult.

Has anyone here been through a similar accident involving severe hand injuries, tendon reconstruction, joint damage, ACL injuries, or multiple fractures?

If so, how did your recovery go?

How much function did you regain?

Were you eventually able to return to work, sports, the gym, or other physical activities?

What were the first few months like, and what helped you the most mentally when you were afraid of the future?

I would really appreciate hearing your story, especially if you were told your injuries were severe and still managed to rebuild your life afterward.