Oh, I am soooo sorry for your terrible accident and painful injuries! I cannot imagine the pain of your fractures and injuries! I am sending positive thoughts your way and encouragement to try again to bike someday..if that's what you want.

I have never crashed on a bike, but I've had a close call in a very bad car accident five years ago and 30 plus years ago, I crashed an airplane on my first flying lesson! It took me 20 years before I was brave enough to fly again; it took me almost a year before I could drive a car again (and I still get scared when in heavy freeway traffic. I still get a lump in my stomach when I fly on commercial planes - but I do both!)

For me, I find I am more afraid of things that didn't used to bother me before the accidents. I found myself terrified easily, (panic attacks really), because of the accident. It takes a lot to get over a bad crash, whether car plane, bike or motorcycle....really it's more in your mind than in reality. It is your mind you have to worry about, your fear, which is often worse than reality.....

It may happen that you will be able to get over your fear or maybe not over it totally... but it's all up to you - how hard you want to pursue the sport. Like teaching a child to walk, it must begin with small absolutely safe steps, each success built on the former successes. I agree with your TE friends, take it slow and put your comfort & safety first.

Physicians desensitize panic patients by guiding them through small successes: for a fear of animals, it begins with looking at photos of animals; then observing them from a distance, and so forth, until the patient can touch or pet an animal - which may take a lot of time. But any slipping backwards, warrants another attempt, later and with increased sense of safety. It can be done. It can't be done overnight!

What you are feeling is so natural, so understandable, and we know you want to have different feelings. Accidents can change you but they don't have to break you.....

Remember just because YOU had an accident, doesn't make the sport any less safe or more dangerous.

It is what it was before your accident.

It is your mind, your fear that will matter most. I'd possibly consider talking to a counselor to learn how to manage your fears best. It's all up to you and there is NO rush.

From my own perspective, what happened to you is emotionally as traumatic as being attacked physically. It really unnerves you, I know a little of how you feel. None of us TE gals will love you any less if you give up biking, but I don't think you will!

I would just encourage you to let your body and mind heal over time, then take a fresh look at ways you could enjoy the sport in small steps to see if you recover your zest for biking. It takes a lot of courage to return to something that hurt you so much;

Life is about taking risks. What risks you choose to take are up to you. Sometimes we have to force ourselves to step out of our comfort zones a bit to really enjoy life. Be gentle to yourself, nobody is rushing you to do anything, Suzie. We love you and are here to talk to, to support whatever decision you make.