PegLegs and Me

  There are two types of believers in any religion: The fiercely religious (Zealots) The casually religious (Better safe than sorry) My wife and I grew up in extremely religious (generational) Christian families. For as long as our memories allow, we were taught to expect the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world as we know it. It was imprinted in our minds through the fear and reward methodology used in most religions. We were sinners in desperate need of salvation. Evil is everywhere and Satan is a formidable foe, but you are “safe” as long as you are obedient to the rules and regulations set out by the institution. Our only hope in this dark, unforgiving world, was Jesus and his soon return. The zealots fight for their beliefs, make sacrifices whether it’s required or not, give up their comforts to comfort others (or blow them up), give no thought to the future, because the clock is ticking for humanity and things need to get done. The world must be warned, the...

  While travelling on one of the Western Cape's beautiful rural roads, I saw a sign above the entrance to a very well-manicured farm: Faith, Hope, Love, Luck Here is my interpretation: Faith - Usually associated with the religious belief in a higher power, but also believing in the impossible becoming possible. Hope - Faith and hope are like a married couple. Faith gives hope and hope reinforces faith. Not only for the religious however. For example, we hope for our poor circumstances to change for the better and have faith that it will happen. Hope can also be unrealistic, but without it one can feel ... well, hopeless. Love - Everyone on this planet needs love. We can’t survive without it. Love is caring, sharing, giving, receiving. Love is the unending circle of wellness. It comes in many forms. It has no conditions attached and crosses all boundaries. Luck - The person who wrote these words on the sign was speaking from experience. Without a little bit of luck, the other three ...

  Embracing Change: Life After Amputation S o many people ask Danie: "So, how did it happen?" His usual answer is: "Shark attack!" But then he tells people how he couldn't "outrun" the effects of living with Type 1 Diabetes for 48 years. Finding the humor in the horror is a good way to cope with any situation. However, facing day to day challenges, will prove to be more than you can often cope with. Here are a few practical ideas which really helped us. Losing both legs is a life-altering experience, but it doesn't mean that life has to come to a halt. In fact, it can be the beginning of a new chapter filled with resilience, determination, and positivity. In our blog posts, we will share personal stories of overcoming challenges and finding inspiration after amputation, and provide tips on how to embrace change and live a fulfilling life. 1. Acceptance is the first step The journey towards embracing change starts with accepting your new reality. It...