PegLegs and Me

  When I was still able to go for daily walks I met amazing people along the way, some of whom became good friends and continue to visit me on a regular basis. I want to share a thought with you about my island in the sun , but before I go there, I’d like to fill you in on the reason to create such a place. It was a visit from one of these friends, who after listening to me vent, suggested that I build myself an island – create my own safe and secure escape. A happy place that I can visit any time and as often as I want. I have undergone some serious changes in my life. Not only financially or physically, but my whole psyche has changed. It’s like I’ve taken on a whole new persona, a hunchback of Notre Dame, if you will. A hidden kind of monster that is trying to force its way out, against all odds, against my best efforts to contain it. And what a monster this is that even I fear him. Who knows what he is capable of? Tanja, being very perturbed by my mental (in)stability dec...

This is not going to be a lengthy piece. This is just me sharing something special with you. How often in life do you find something really worth saving, or sharing for that matter? Out of all the stuff we gather through the years, so much is often tossed out after some time because it has lost its significance or value.  Yesterday, it was Mother's Day here is South Africa and this year my birthday fell on the same day. Not that I care to be reminded that I'm getting older, but it's still nice to receive all those messages and calls and lovely birthday wishes from near and far.  For me, this birthday was pretty dreary. We live in the Western Cape and our winter arrived much earlier and with a vengeance. Strong winds, heavy rain and in certain places flooding and destruction. I don't mind rain, occasionally, but our winters are so unpleasant. Even after living here for more than 27 years, in this beautiful part of our country, it still gets to me.  However, it wasn't...

  Living alongside a double amputee has taught me that the greatest struggles are not always the ones people can see. When people see an amputee, they often notice the obvious first — the missing limbs, the prosthetics, the crutches, the wheelchair, the altered way of moving through the world. What they don’t always see are the battles that come with it. They don’t see the phantom pain that can come from a limb that is no longer there. They don’t see the discomfort of a residual limb, the long healing process, the skin irritation from prosthetics, the pressure sores, the balancing struggles, or the frustration of having to relearn things that once came naturally. They don’t see how much energy it can take just to do what others may consider ordinary. Getting dressed. Bathing. Walking. Turning. Climbing stairs. Sleeping comfortably. Even something as simple as moving from one room to another can require thought, patience, and effort. And then there is the emotional side — often...

  Someone asked me a question this week that stopped me in my tracks. “Do you have a Plan B?” It was asked kindly. Practically. Sensibly. But it didn’t land practically. It landed here — in that quiet place where fear lives. What will you do if Danie dies? What will you do if your small business doesn’t work out? What if everything you are holding together… simply unravels? I smiled at the time. Gave a reasonable answer. Something about taking life one day at a time. But later, alone, the question replayed in my mind. Do I have a Plan B? The truth is — my life already feels like Plan Q. Some days it feels like I’m doing a strange, disjointed dance. One step forward, two steps back. A sale here and there … followed by an unexpected expense. A moment of hope… followed by exhaustion. A burst of confidence… followed by doubt. It’s not a graceful waltz. It’s more like a dismal shuffle on uneven ground. And I find myself wondering: Is everyone’s life like this? Or is it ...

First of all, we'd like to wish you all the best year ahead. A new year has a way of arriving with expectations. Fresh starts. Big plans. Bold resolutions. “New year, new you,” they say — as if life politely resets itself at midnight. But for many of us, the new year doesn’t arrive with fireworks and clean slates. It arrives much the same way the old one left — carrying prosthetics, scars, chronic conditions, health challenges, mental fatigue, financial strain, and the quiet determination it takes just to keep going. And that’s okay. Because stepping into a new year as you are — not as you’re told you should be — is an act of courage in itself. Thank you for walking this road with us Before anything else, thank you. Thank you to every reader who has taken the time to read these words, share a post, send a message, or simply sit with a story that feels familiar. PegLegs and Me exists because you show up — not for perfection, not for polished answers, but for honesty and co...

  Seasonal Loneliness — When “Joyful Times” Make Depression Worse. Certain times of the year bring up emotions we’re not always prepared to handle. Christmas, New Year, birthdays, anniversaries — all the calendar moments that should feel warm and connected — can become incredibly painful for people who are isolated, grieving, financially stressed, or separated from family. For us, as a couple, all of these factors have been our experience for the last 4+ years. The pressure to be cheerful only makes it worse. Every advert, every social media post, every decorated shopping aisle screams togetherness . If your reality doesn’t look like that, the loneliness can feel suffocating. This type of seasonal depression is far more common than people admit. But for many this is not just a seasonal issue. Millions of people suffer with this debilitating condition. Depression has become one of the most common and misunderstood conditions of our time. We tend to label it as a “mental issue,”...

  SHARING THE LOVE Dearest Friends For those of you who have been following our Blog, we appreciate your support and love. You will also know by this time that we've suffered several blows these last few years and getting back up on our feet has proven to be a tremendously difficult task, despite our best efforts. We have always persevered under the pressure and given every ounce of our energy and time to change our circumstances. Laziness is not a board that can be hung around our necks! Having said that, our little business is still struggling to survive, and now, Danie's health has taken a nose-dive. Asking for help is a very humbling experience, but, as the saying goes: Desperate times call for desperate measures! I started this campaign as a means to help us get through this trying time, and humbly ask that you support us in any way you can, even if it's only to SHARE it with your family, friends and contacts.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to read, support ...

  I promised myself this post would be honest.  Not pretty. Not polished. Just us.  So here it is — the part of the journey where survival feels heavier than hope. Some days, the fight feels endless . The weight of survival presses on our shoulders, and no matter how hard we push, the ground beneath us doesn’t seem to give way to solid footing.  I wonder why we keep fighting. Why we keep pushing against the tide when it feels like the tide always wins. Keeping our little business alive takes every ounce of energy, every bit of grit we can muster.  Every day we pour ourselves into it — our time, our energy — and yet the reward feels so small compared to the effort. T he numbers don’t add up, the efforts don’t bring results, and the exhaustion sets in deeper than before.  It feels like we’re running on fumes, pushing so hard and still getting nowhere.  We work, we try, we give it all… and at the end of the day, it’s just not enough. For Danie, health is ...

  Most of us have heard the saying: “Jack of all trades is a master of none.” It usually gets thrown around as a subtle insult — like you’re dabbling in too many things, not committing to a single path, not becoming the “expert.” But here’s the twist: that’s not the full quote! The complete version reads: "J ack of all trades is a master of none, but still always better than a master of one." And suddenly, it’s not a criticism anymore. It’s a celebration. I t kind of flips the entire message. It becomes a tribute to versatility, adaptability, and resilience. Sounds a lot like my life in a nutshell. I can reflect on my own journey — being a caregiver, a provider, a businesswoman, a creative mind, a mother and grandmother, a survivor, a problem-solver. I’ve probably worn more hats than a Broadway costume rack. Not out of choice always, but out of necessity. And that’s something to be proud of, I think. In a world that’s constantly shifting — pandemics, economic crises, health...

  We all have a hero and a role model, and yes, they're not the same thing.  According to the Oxford dictionary, a hero is:  A person admired for courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. A role model is:  Someone who's behaviour, example or success is emulated by others, and many adopt the positive traits and behaviour of a role model. As I said, we all have a role model and hero, but mine are one and the same being - an AMAZING, SPOTLESS, BEAUTIFUL, MAJESTIC being - my wife! I admire her for her courage - whatever life throws at her, she won't back down or lose her focus.  Her persistence and perseverance is next level, and she will finish whatever she starts.  Her outstanding achievements are too many to name.  Her respect and politeness are well known in all her doings, with the pleasant aroma of her noble qualities. There are many who try to follow her exemplary life, but alas, there is only one YOU! Whether engaging with the fortun...

  I’m sure we all remember this childhood game which was, and probably still is, very popular for adults and children alike.  The goal of this board game is to reach the end first, and if you throw the dice well and land on the ladders, well, bonus!! Up you go, fast forward to a position closer to the end. But, landing on the snake, is a slithery path down to a lower level and further away from the end goal. Landing on a snake was bad news and so disappointing, not to mention a little humiliating. It’s actually a fantastic metaphor! Snakes and Ladders perfectly captures life’s unpredictability—the excitement of climbing up, the frustration of sliding down, and the sheer randomness of it all. A few points of this childhood game stand out for me and I’d like to share them with you. The Unfair Rolls – Just like in life, you don’t control the dice, you take your chance and hope for the best. Sadly, however, some people seem to get all the ladders, while others keep landing on ...