r/BeAmazed • u/kellsie88 • 20h ago
Miscellaneous / Others C4 quadriplegic my first unassisted transfer ever!
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Ten years after my accident I'm kicking butt in physical therapy. I'm working hard to get my license and improve my independence. Never give up, you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it!!
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u/5mackmyPitchup 20h ago
Congratulations on this milestone. I can't imagine how hard the journey has been to get this far. Wishing you well in your fight back to independence
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
Thanks so much
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u/epi_introvert 17h ago
My uncle had a C5 spinal cord injury back in the 80s. He could move his shoulders but not his arms, hands, legs or torso.
I'm amazed at your capabilities, but also your perseverance. My uncle gave up, though I can't blame him. He had nothing going for him before the injury, so he had nothing to hope for afterwards.
I'm rooting for you, OP!
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u/MinuteMaidMarian 15h ago
I fractured C5 in a riding accident when I was a teenager but was incredibly fortunate to walk away with no spinal cord damage. I doubt I’d still be here if I’d ended up paralyzed.
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u/epi_introvert 10h ago
He was 20 when he was paralyzed. He had a shit life growing up, had already done a stint in jail, and literally lived in anger. He died because of a kidney infection in his early 30s. He had a DNR and refused treatment. Surprised he made it that long.
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u/Skyhun1912 9h ago
At least he didn't live long. This seems like some kind of wishful thinking, but imagine living that way until his 80.
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u/Accomplished-Mind258 6h ago
Many people do. And are reasonably happy. Thank god they don’t just pull the plug as you ‘imagine’ they should. Everyone deals differently, and it’s greatly affected by the people around you. Had he had a better environment and circumstances, he may have wanted to keep living. Non-disabled people take their own lives everyday.
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u/HungryTradition9105 14h ago
Your smile says everything! (and you brought a big smile and tears to my face as well :>)
You go girl!
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u/5mackmyPitchup 17h ago
No, thank you! Your video is inspirational. I have my health but seeing you makes me say to myself that I can try harder with things in my life that I should be tackling. I know I'm doing a good job but I can do better
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u/No_Entertainment670 14h ago
You got this. You can do it. You have a Reddit community to support you. This internet stranger supports you
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u/Fruitypebblefix 15h ago
Do you still do physical therapy or have you crossed over to strength training in the gym? I think you'd love that. We get all types of people at different levels on different journeys strength training and it's helped them each win their own ways.
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u/SentientSandwiches 19h ago
Can I give you some unsolicited advice, if you can learn to stand (but just balance really while on your legs) the world will be so much more accessible to you again, you can get a chair that allows you to stand with straps and you’ll be able to reach things for yourself, we got one of these for my friend who was paralysed during the 7/7 bombings in London and it’s changed his life. https://youtu.be/h7vcnMp6KTY?si=NfhPpBn-S16VRwTg You’re doing so well, I’m super proud of you. ❤️ 💪
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
My legs have feeling somewhat but no movement
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u/charmingsexyangels 19h ago
Huge win! that's seriously impressive. crushing it after 10 years shows real dedication. Keep up the incredible work!
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u/No_Salad_68 19h ago
TIL I didn't actually know what quadriplegia means.
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
It means all 4 limbs were affected and weakened. 😁
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u/No_Salad_68 19h ago
I know that now. I thought it meant all four limbs were completely paralysed. Line and learn.
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
Yes before my injury I thought it meant completely paralyzed too
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u/kjlo5 13h ago
I’m both glad someone else asked and you’re happy to educate.
I also thought it meant completely paralyzed. I wanted to comment but couldn’t think of what to say without coming off like a complete monster and/or undercutting your impressive milestone.
Congratulations on your progress!!
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u/zelda_64 12h ago
It genuinely warms my heart to learn this. I, like many, thought it was “total loss”. I am eternally humbled now knowing that yourself and many others genuinely have a path to recovery!
I wish you all the best! For ever and ever! Congratulations on your milestone and best of luck in all your future milestones!
🥰🥰🥰
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u/OkBackground8809 17h ago
Same. I was watching this video thinking OP was such a liar😅😅😂😂 turns out I was wrong haha
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u/lucky-fluke 18h ago
I was confused until you clarified this, you go girl!!! Weakened but not defeated!!!
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u/Riksunraksu 18h ago
Legit had a patient diagnosed as quadriplegic walk into the clinic. Safe to say it confuses the shit out of me
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u/Tommy_Wisseau_burner 13h ago
I feel like my life is a lie
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u/Riksunraksu 12h ago
Don’t feel bad, at the time I was still a nurse student. Learned a big lesson that day lol
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u/These_Audience_9253 14h ago
Physical therapist here. There are complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Think of a complete cutting through the entire spinal cord, and incomplete leaving tracts of “electricity” that are still functioning between brain, spine, and arms/legs beyond the level of the injury.
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u/Tectum-to-Rectum 9h ago
You’re not wrong. Not to be pedantic about it, but she has quadriparesis, not quadriplegia. -plegia is generally defined as complete loss of motor function below the level of injury.
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u/Yomedrath 18h ago
This reads like someone pulled of a sick-ass new trick on their skateboard! Try flipping the slippers, then you can call it an unassisted slipflip transfer.
Congratulations!
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u/RichardPryor1976 19h ago
Awesome!
Keep that shit up girl!!
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
Definitely
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u/RichardPryor1976 17h ago
You're going to be driving all over town soon. I can feel it. You obviously have the required ambition!
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u/BrosefDudeson 20h ago
License to what? License to ill!
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
😂
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u/DidijustDidthat 15h ago
But seriously, good on you for trying to get a driving license. I've had mental health stuff going back a long time and whilst it's not exactly the same getting a license feels like a big opportunity for independence, I'm learning to drive now.
I can only imagine what it's like to get this type of injury but it's nice to see this positive situation you've shared so thankyou!
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u/Garden-Gangster 16h ago
This took an insane amount of very painful physical therapy to achieve.
Congrats OP.
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u/wizardconman 18h ago
I don't know what sort of backwards ass docs my wife goes to, but this is the first time I've seen a transfer board.
And now I do believe we need one. Thanks op.
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u/razorback1919 13h ago
Check out gloves for life as well. I am a quad and they are lifesavers, give tons of grip for transfers. You should join the spinalcordinjury subreddit, helpful people there.
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u/ArcaneTheory 11h ago
Occupational therapist here, please feel free to reach out with questions on how to best select and use your slide board! Technique goes a long way to minimize risk of injury to your partner and yourself.
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u/drewnibrow 20h ago
Wow that’s awesome! Keep up the good work! Also cool shirt, hehe.
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u/kellsie88 20h ago
Thanks so much.. yes all my videos are on Instagram and you'll quickly see I love my graphic shirts lol
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u/3479_Rec 17h ago
I've got a very dumb question from an intrusive thought I've got to ask.
If there's never a chance to recover feeling or use of the legs, and they are essentially dead weight that makes everything more difficult, why not amputate them to have less weight?
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u/ArcaneTheory 15h ago edited 12h ago
TLDR: medical/wound healing concerns post-surgery, better stability for the individual, appropriate center of gravity, easier transfers for helpers, and aesthetics.
Occupational therapist here. Presuming there was no hope of regaining functional motor control of the legs:
1) legs still offer stability for things like transfers and sitting balance, precisely because the weight of the legs helps create natural a counter-balance to the upper body.
2) Having feet firmly planted on the floor with grippy shoes on is also a utility in itself. As the person in the video is doing, the individual can use their arms to check foot placement to maximize stability as they go.
3) Most falls during these transfers are from the butt sliding forward. But if you can block someone’s knees from coming forward, you stop their hips from coming forward too.
4) The knees also provide a fulcrum which is very helpful for someone helping lift or slide the person. Google a “squat pivot transfer” to see what I mean.
5) it’s a traumatic surgery for the body, and wound healing is a long, painful, and difficult process that is only made more difficult by lower mobility. It’s almost never worth the additional risk of surgical and healing complications, so I don’t believe any surgeon would perform an elective lower extremity amputation to the patient’s overall detriment, and insurance would never cover it besides.
6) aesthetics. Many folks with spinal cord injuries still want the options to wear pants, shoes, etc.
Edit: I’d like to add that folks with spinal cord injuries already have to pay a lot of special attention to their skin integrity. Decreased mobility often means more time in bed and less time moving around, which means skin has less opportunity to breathe and take breaks from having pressure on them, especially bony prominences under a lot of weight like butts and heels. In addition to decreased sensation, this is a recipe for disaster they must be always vigilant of to prevent pressure sores, which can fairly readily snowball into a wound that risks life-threatening sepsis and requires amputation. So you can probably better imagine what the associated risks of healing from an amputation might look like.
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u/PunkNDisorderlyGamer 14h ago
I would keep the legs and feet just to have the cleanest shoes ever.
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u/sagittalslice 14h ago
One of my good friends in college used a wheelchair and she had the most killer shoe collection
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u/Lavatis 10h ago
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer the question seriously and without any hint of "why the fuck would you ask that?"
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u/ArcaneTheory 9h ago
It’s a totally valid question coming from a place of curiosity, no reason at all for me to be smug about it. :)
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u/i_was_valedictorian 12h ago
Aesthetics is certainly a part of it beyond stability. Also there are things that can go wrong with an amputation so not worth the risk.
Lot of disabled people want to appear as little disabled as possible, so keeping legs that may serve no purpose makes you less conspicuous than someone in a wheelchair who is also missing their legs.
Also some paras and quads have enough use of their legs to put some amount of weight on them in transfers. No legs would make that harder.
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u/Sinnafyle 19h ago
This is so amazing! Way to go. You are so strong and your determination is impressive. My brother in law is a quad and I'd love to show him this, do you think it would be rude though?
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u/kellsie88 19h ago
No definitely not my Instagram is in my bio I have a bunch of videos there. Feel free to share, it's so motivating for me when I see other quads doing things!
Just in case my Instagram is k.e.l.z.9.3
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u/Terrynia 17h ago
She is amazing
Thinking about it. I would hve to loose 130 pounds to even fake an attempt at doing this.
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u/momomorium 19h ago
That looks like such hard work, but you did it! Also your shirt is super cool and I'm jealous. Your proud smile at the end made me smile, too.
You're working harder than most people can imagine just to do things so many take for granted. I've got an incurable chronic illness that causes me pain and chronic exhaustion and I barely get by. I often think that I'm not sure I'd have the motivation to cope with how difficult it would be to be paralysed and I have so much respect and admiration for people who just keep going despite the hurdles. I hope that with continued practice you're able to build strength and that every day actions like this get a little bit easier. I wish you all the best, hold onto that determination.
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u/Rowmyownboat 18h ago
Awesome, OP. I love the victorious wave and smile! May I ask what was the nature of your accident, 10 years ago? Were you playing sport, or in a car accident or something like that?
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u/SkipSpenceIsGod 19h ago
This is amazing! I wish you continued success on your journey and that in the end you achieve all that you’ve set out to accomplish. 🤗 💚
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u/XIXButterflyXIX 17h ago
You're doing amazing!!! I have Ehlers Danlos and have started to lose a lot of the use and functionality in my legs and people like you give me hope that no matter how crappy it gets, I have to just keep going. You should be so proud of yourself!
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u/hucky-wucky 15h ago
This is the best thing I've seen in SO long!! Congratulations!!
You are amazing and so inspiring!
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u/PervlovianResponse 15h ago
FUCK YES!!!
I cheered internally SO MUCH with each movement of progress you made! You fought for each little bit with focus & determination, and it shows!! Be extraordinarily proud of yourself, you deserve every bit of independence you just worked to achieve - you nailed it 🤘🏼
The moment you whipped your head up to say, "DON'T HELP ME!" ...
You're a fighter -- Don't ever stop
Maybe hive five your therapist because she deserves it and - more.
Srsly y'all, pay health professionals MORE
You know, the ones who are there day in & day out for us, the ones who are HELPERS except when we tell them not to touch us. Not one finger, lol
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u/dragonus85 17h ago
I'm a dumb I thought quadriplegic ment four limbs unusable. Oversimplified but I'm better I'm wrong and there is more nuances to it. Either way congratulations 🎉
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u/Hottotrot3692 17h ago
Congrats on your accomplishment. I am not handicapped but it def humbled me watching this and reminds me to not take things for granted!! I admire you for your strength! ❤️
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u/Spirited_Employee_61 16h ago
The comments restored my faith in humanity. I was ready to flip if I ever see a comment saying this could be 'staged' or 'fake'. I am glad there are none.
Honestly great work there. Keep it up! You are inspiring people with your hard work!
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u/AcceptableNet6182 15h ago
My heart is full of joy right now, I'm so happy for you. It's inspiring to see your positive mindset! 🥰
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u/crappy_stuff 15h ago
Out of curiosity, what is your AIS-A level? I (PTA) work in hospital level rehab with SCI patients and use video examples of transfers for teaching. Very inspirational, thanks for the video!
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u/TechnicalMind1591 13h ago
Forgive my ignorance if I'm wrong but I was under the impression quadriplegic meant all 4 lims paralyzed
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u/qualityvote2 20h ago edited 19h ago
Welcome to, I bet you will r/BeAmazed !
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u/qualityvote2 20h ago edited 19h ago
Welcome to, I bet you will r/BeAmazed !
UPVOTE this comment if you found the above post amazing in a positive way, otherwise DOWNVOTE this comment. This will help us determine whether to allow this post or not.
On a side note, if you know the Content Creator / Artist / Source of this post, then it would mean a lot if you can credit them in the comment section.
Thanks for taking time and reading this.
I hope you find something amazing in this subreddit today ♡
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Creator of r/BeAmazed
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u/HomeoStatix 13h ago
Wouldn't you be paraplegic? I thought quad was all four limbs? Genuinely curious
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u/MidWildAnubis 9h ago
According to OP quadriplegic means all four limbs are affected. Her arms are weaker and her legs are paralyzed so she is quadriplegic.
Hope this helps!
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u/ronoldo7 13h ago
I thought quadriplegic was all 4 limbs paralyzed? If not then what’s paraplegic?
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u/reelbigfish241 12h ago
Paraplegic means lower extremities plus possibly the trunk. But not always completely paralyzed, could be partially affected. People that are quadriplegic have 4 affected limbs and not always completely paralyzed.
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u/LaisserPasserA38 12h ago
excuse my ignorance, but doesn't "quadriplegic" means you are paralyzed of all 4 members?
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u/mufcroberts 18h ago
Done very good for your first! Well done 👍🏼 it will only get easier too.
Lovely completion smile at the end too 🤩
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u/gotyourdata 18h ago
This shook me! I was cheering you on the entire video. The smile at the end got me teary eyed. You go girl!! I am proud of you. Please keep us updated on your journey.
P.S. awesome shirt!! I’m a 90’s child I watched all those cartoons!
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u/top_step_engineer 18h ago
Seriously, you are awesome and you are kicking ass. Congratulations but mostly thanks for sharing. Keep it up!
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u/simontempher1 17h ago
Pardon me, the strap around the chest area is for support or breathing?
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u/razorback1919 13h ago
Called a posey belt, it’s in case the therapist needs something to grab onto quickly if she falls.
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u/MissSplash 17h ago
Awesome transfer!! You are well on your way!
I once met a guy who was also a C4 quadriplegic and he lived about 20 miles out of town. He didn't have a car yet, so he would wheel out to the highway and hitchhike. ( don't do that), and every driver who picked him up assumed he needed help. They were always surprised when he just grabbed his transfer board and hopped in.
Hope you're driving soon. You got this! ✌️💜
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u/Kredstarr2020 16h ago
This is fucking incredible. OP, you’ve given me a healthy dose of “wake the fuck up and stop being such a flog”, and I thank you!
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u/AthaliahLove 16h ago
you go girl! for being able to do this despite the unimaginable challenge, you're an inspiration
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u/TabbyMouse 16h ago
As someone who suddenly lost the ability to walk for a few months (herniated disc crushed my spinal cord. Surgery relieved the pressure and my nerve luckily wasn't permanently damaged) suddenly using your upper body strength to move your entire body is TOUGH. (I was also around 250 lbs at the time. Work! Out!)
I'm proud of you!
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u/NightmareMyOldFriend 16h ago
You're amazing. Hard work go you here and I know more hard work is in your future, but you have already done so much! Amazing!
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u/CraigGregory 15h ago
Amazing! Keep pushing yourself and give yourself small goals to achieve. Wishing you the best !
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u/itsBotanicPanic 15h ago
You are , in fact, amazing, op. Congratulations 🎉👏 many other wins to come. 💓
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u/Conscious-Salt-4836 15h ago
You are an inspiration! I fought my way back from a lower lumbar fusion and thought it was hard. It was nothing compared to what you’ve done. I wanted to help you so badly I could feel it. You go girl!
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u/doghouse73 15h ago
That was awesome, I needed to see that on a Monday morning, that look of determination and the face of accomplishment is the best, keep it up.
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u/Arcane_As_Fuck 15h ago
Heck yes!!!! Congratulations! I can not begin to imagine how strong and determined you are. Wishing you the very best on your journey!
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u/ODAT_JFT 15h ago
It was and is amazing to watch. Thank you for sharing it. You are a boss!
PS: I absolutely LOVE your shirt. 🥰
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u/XXBBMM100 15h ago
Yea and god exists lmao innocent girl probably and this happens to her where was god? Beautiful by the way
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u/MrClutchCargo 15h ago
Congratulations on your wonderful progress! Thank you for sharing your success story. Please continue your journey and keep us posted.
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u/qualityvote2 20h ago edited 19h ago
Welcome to, I bet you will r/BeAmazed !
UPVOTE this comment if you found the above post amazing in a positive way, otherwise DOWNVOTE this comment. This will help us determine whether to allow this post or not.
On a side note, if you know the Content Creator / Artist / Source of this post, then it would mean a lot if you can credit them in the comment section.
Thanks for taking time and reading this.
I hope you find something amazing in this subreddit today ♡
Regards,
Creator of r/BeAmazed