i wouldn't say disability is the sole cause of my depression but it certainly fuels it.

i used to be a very athletic guy before i got my leg wrecked, sports was my thing, especially hockey. everyone likes to have something they're good at, and skill in sports was how i made myself feel strong and accepted. i got to lead a team, sports was really my calling.

not being able to do that anymore, losing something i loved and excelled at, really has crashed me down. i was never the smartest guy, the funniest guy, i was the athletic guy- when i lost that, i lost what i was good at. it probably seems silly to most, but losing sports was like losing a part of my identity.

losing mobility (and vision in an eye) has been like losing what freedom i have. i get lots of annoying questions and looks because i'm young and using a wheelchair or crutches, makes it hard to relate to people my age (although there are a few reasons for that). i hate getting asked the "what happened?" question. it's painful to me. just a reminder i lost something i loved doing. it kills me to think when my kids are older, they won't have their dad to play sports with them.

and apologies for length, this was meant to be a short reply