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Attitude is Everything

Today could be a terrible anniversary for me… But, I look at it another way.

Victoria Ponte
2 min readFeb 14, 2020

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On this day 21 years ago, my husband found me pregnant and paralyzed early in the morning after waking up worried about where to get me flowers.

He sent our 2 year old son to the neighbors. I was rushed to the hospital for an emergency craniotomy that saved not only my life but our baby’s, as well. His speedy response in calling 911 and our proximity to a great hospital were keys to my survival.

Through another stroke of luck, the best neurosurgeon was on call that morning and came in for my surgery.

Our son was born in the usual way while I was still hemiplegic 6 weeks prematurely.

I was able to fight my way back to something of a normal life after being left with a permanent disability at age 35.

There have been monumental losses and challenges as a result of that event 21 years ago. Still, I refuse to see this as a terrible anniversary.

This terrible thing could have happened on any day: Christmas, my birthday, etc., or not. I think I would have preferred not, but since it did, I like the fact that it was on Valentine’s Day which is a day that had always meant nothing. Now it will forever hold a lot of meaning for me and my family.

I celebrate being alive, being healthy, and having a healthy family on this day.

Adjust your attitude if you have to. We get to choose how we look at things.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Victoria Ponte
Victoria Ponte

Written by Victoria Ponte

Writing to share wonder, gratitude and a sense of humor. Poetry, life lessons, survivor https://www.youtube.com/@victoriaponteagain?sub_confirmation=1

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