Just want you to meet the lively, vivacious young woman Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista who had an interesting career in the corporate world. She was active in sports like kick boxing, volleyball and weight work outs. A beautiful, slender girl with a petite size and a love for upscale designer clothes, high heels and elegant handbags.
That did all end abruptly though...
It was on Sunday, October 28 of 2006, that life for Celia M. changed forever. She was about to cross the street to the apartment of a friend for a birthday party... Other party members that also just arrived, found her in the middle of the street. A car had hit her and she was not responding, had numerous broken bones and serious internal injuries. Because she was unconscious and not breathing on her own, they could not do surgery or anything requiring general anesthetic...
Almost six weeks later she did wake up from her coma.
Her sister took this photo while she was still on the ventilator, not able to breath on her own.
Her right elbow was destroyed, multiple fractures still had to heal, such as part of the spine at her neck. She sustained brain injury and had been given 54 unites of blood... She had to learn again how to speak, eat and walk.
After about 3½ years of living at home, most in her pajamas (read here →) My Dolce Jeans Shrunk? ... Saying Good-bye due to this being the easiest way with all her incisions for the steel bars and screws in her right forearm and the artificial right elbow. Her right arm was in a hand shake position for 1½ years before the destroyed elbow got replaced. She never was able to touch her face, her head or eat for 1½ years... Also her right ankle is held together with pins and screws; hence the title of 'High Heeled Life'.
Celia's artificial right elbow... |
And yet, on March 1 of 2010, she started this blog, with trembling fingers on the keyboard of her laptop. Her Mr. G. would bring it to her in bed and wait till her tiny fingers would start... Just imagine the effort it takes for her! Read: Hand Bags and High Heels …. Learning to like flats and wristlets to understand some more about her condition. Her brother and sister fought for her right arm, as the hospital opted for amputation...
Look at where she has arrived now with 779 followers of her lovely blog with inspiring posts. On May 24 of 2011, the Brain Injury Society of Toronto published Celia's story. Look here: Celia's Story. Celia is not a native English speaker, she came from the Old World too, like me. Considering all that, her mother tongue, her many injuries that do cause her pain, her artificial elbow and still this girl is reaching out like only few people ever manage to do so in a lifetime.
She and Mr. G. are also the human parents to two darling dogs; Stella and Dolce. Just click on the hyperlinks of their names to meet those cute furbabies. Please join me in my admiration of this very special blogger friend. If you have not done so yet, please do follow her and leave her a comment as she so deserves it! There is nothing more I can add to this remarkable lady's journey. A true role model to all of us, showing us clearly what is important in life and that we can continue with a lot less. Like I would love to always say: Back to the Basics...
Thanks Celia for your personal friendship; it means a lot to me!
Related posts by Celia:
1 Once Upon A Time...
2 Sleeping Beauty... Once Upon A Time
3 Boarding The Boat... Once Upon A Time
4 The Princess wakes up... Once Upon A Time
5 Time Passes ~ Once Upon A Time
5 Years Later... What’s that a bend in the road?
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas ist wirklich ein tragischer Fall. Vielen Dank, dass du uns von ihr berichtest. Wie du schon sagst, Back to the basics! Man muss sich immer bewusst machen, was im Leben wirklich wichtig ist.
Schöne Grüße, Johanna
What a journey she's had these past many years. I think I might have visited her before but thanks for sharing her story and blog again. Love those batik fabrics you received and turned into clothing for you and Pieter. We were able to visit factories in Sri Lanka and see the detailed process that goes into making these beautiful designs. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story. Thank you for posting about this inspiring woman and sharing her incredible journey with your readers.
*hugs*
mo
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletetragisch, aber wir können es nicht
ändern.
Liebe Grüße
Angela und Elisabeth
Oh Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI know this marvelous human being and her story is beyond comprehension. But what I do understand, is that GOD WAS, IS and ALWAYS WILL BE with her to make His glory known..what I wonder is HOW could someone not see her crossing, or vice versa....we must all be so cautious....oh my, but she is a strong spirit and I am so happy to know her. Thank you for coming to visit me today. Anita
Querida Mariette.
ReplyDeleteEs un ejemplo de superacion digno de admirar.
Que gran mujer.
Un saludo afectuoso.
Veronica.
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteih bin erschüttert über das Los dieser bildhübschen Frau. Umso bemerkenswerter ist ihr Blog. Ich war dort und werde auch wieder hingehen.
Liebe Grüße
Irmi
Wie tragisch, liebe Mariette! Wenn man bedenkt, wie in einem kurzen Moment das ganze Leben sich ändern kann.
ReplyDeleteAber ich kenn' es selbst ja auch - alles kommt immer ganz plötzlich.
Und dann zählen plötzlich ganz andere Werte für einen ...
Danke für Deine lieben Kommentare und danke für diesen Post!
Liebe Grüße
Sara
Ich seh' grad noch einen neuen Kommentar von Dir - lieben Dank auch dafür! Ja, meiner Mutter geht es im Augenblick fast besser als mir ;-)
ReplyDeleteMein Notebook muß wahrscheinlich aufgerüstet werden. Das machen meine Männer, wird allerdings dauern, da sie wenig Zeit haben und selten daheim sind.
Aber so wie es jetzt ist, dauert alles extrem lange. Schon wenn ich irgendwo kommentieren will, vergehen bald 3 Minuten, bis überhaupt das Kommentarfeld dargestellt ist - so kann man nichts schaffen ...
Ich hoffe trotzdem bis bald wieder und ganz herzlich
Sara
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring story of your friend and how life can change in an instant. She must be so courageous and look forward to going to visit her.
Hope that you have a wonderful weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
Dearest Mariette, What an inspiring story and young lady. She is quite a survivor choosing to live where so many others would have given up. I am going over now for a visit. Thanks for sharing Celia's touching story. Love to you, Ginger
ReplyDeleteMy dearest Mariette ... Wow .. I am speechless! Thank you for your kind , sweet,encouraging and supportive words. Your post was read by my French friend (living in Vermont and NYC) this morning over breakfast - her and her wonderful husband come into town to surprise me and Mr. G - to make sure I sailed through these days ... I was away with an other very thoughtful friend and was delighted to arrive and discover she was here with husband.
ReplyDeleteShe is asking I said you you many blessings ... for a wonderful mention. Hoping that it will reach others, who may be in need of a little inspiration...
Mr.G. and I thank you for your continued support and friendship!! It is friends such as yourself that give me the courage and strength to keep going ... to keep the Faith! and to want to help others!!
Hugs to you and Pieter, xo HHL
What an incredible story! Some people have a great will to live and that makes all the difference. I'm going to her blog right now! Thanks Mariette.
ReplyDelete