Never tell me I can't

Well Memorial day came and went once more. It was great seeing such a wonderful turnout and I was proud to be able to hold the American flag in our local parade. As I was sitting here today I was thinking about my past and what I had gone through in life and where I learned the who, what, where, why and how's. A couple of life experiences came to mind where my future was compromised and I was scared of the outcome. First, while serving in the Marines I sustained an injury to my leg. The Navy doctors didn't think I would be able to walk again. I'll never forget that day. I really wish I could say I injured myself in the line of duty but I can't. I got hurt while playing football. Our CO said instead of training we could play. So while going out for a pass someone stuck their leg out and hit me in the right thigh. I went down like a ton of bricks. My thigh blew up with blood (Six inches bigger than my other thigh). I'll never forget that pain. My doctor said he was afraid that I would never be able to use my leg again. So much for Navy doctors. I went through 6 months of PT and got myself back to work. This Marine would not and could not accept defeat. It's not what I was trained for or taught. My second thought was of a recent injury I sustained. I blew out a disk in my neck between C6 & C7. Doing what I'm not sure. It could have been at work or it could have been while working in my yard. I'm really not sure. I needed surgery and quickly. The pain was a 12 in a scale of 1 - 10. 10 being the worst pain I have every felt. While at the doctors office my doctor walked in, saw me for about 2 minutes, walked out and within 5 minutes he came back in and said I was a lucky man. My surgery that was scheduled for Friday, it was now Monday, was moved up to tomorrow (Tuesday). I'm not sure and I can't prove it but I'm pretty sure he bumped someone for me. That's how much pain I was in. Surgery went well and I was home on Wednesday. I had a couple of weeks off and then started physical therapy. I asked my doctor when I would be able to go back to work. It was now December and he said I said I should be able to go back to work by mid March. I said ok. What else was I going to say. So I went off to PT and I asked my therapist when he thought I could go back to work. I told him what my doctor had said and he said no way would I be able to go back to work by mid March. I asked when and he said not til at least April. No way! I can't and wont be out that long. I can't do it. I need to get back to work. I was afraid I would run out of sick time (I did). I was afraid I would loose my job and have to go out on a disability. No way on God's green Earth was that going to happen nor would I allow it to happen. This is what I did. I called work and got permission to take my turnout gear to use during PT. I'm a firefighter (so much for Navy doctors). My turnout gear consists of pants, jacket, helmet, boots and mask. I would bring my gear to PT with me twice a week and wear it on the treadmill. While I was at home I would wear it on our treadmill and elliptical the rest of the week. I was up to 4 1/2 miles a day. I would not and will not be defeated. It's not in my blood. Long story short...I was back to work by the end of February and by April I had received a commendation for saving a life. So I answered most of my questions. The only one I left out was 'where'. Where did I learn to survive? It wasn't the Marines nor was it the fire department. Where I learned how to fight was my dad. He's always been a great role model for me. He's always taught me to 'suck it up' and 'move on'. He hasn't lived a great life. He's struggled as we all do today. But he made it his life's work to teach my brothers and I to survive. I'm the black sheep of our family. I never got away with anything. I was always the one who got caught doing something stupid. I was always the one who would cost my parents an arm and leg to get me out of trouble. Thanks dad for being a great dad. I love you. With out you and mom I don't know where I'd be.