PegLegs and Me

  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 ...