It’s exactly four months today since I joined the jobless data of Canada, and also exactly a month ago since I was able to walk with my two feet.

Unemployment and disability — double whammy indeed! So what happened?

Well, I resigned from my perfectly stable job because our family joined the exodus of 60,000 Hong Kong residents leaving the city last year. I knew being jobless for a bit was in the cards when we made our decision to move to Canada. What I was not expecting was how long I would be unemployed and how I might be facing the possibility of being broke here.

The disability? I had a ski accident after five minutes of enjoying the beautiful powdery green run up in Whistler, broke my right leg, was rushed to the hospital, had a surgery where a titanium rod was inserted in my tibia (bone), and now hopping around on one leg with the help of crutches.

So why am I sharing this? Definitely not for any sympathy.

One, I want to be reminded of the kindness of people around me. There’s this one lady who I’ve only met online and immediately took me under her wing to help mentor me. She’s been my constant source of strength and support for the past four months, especially when days of self-doubt cloud my eyesight. When I tumbled down the slope, three young ladies stopped and checked in on me to see if I was hurt. One even helped me get my ski boots off (which I learned I shouldn’t have taken off)! And then, there are the many health care workers from the first responders to the hospital staff who have taken good care of me, especially when I was writhing in agony. Our new-found friends here have also been very thoughtful in keeping our children occupied when needed. Friends and family from afar have also sent some treats and good wishes for my fast recovery. Of course, our family here has been quick to provide help and support we badly needed. And above all, I must give a special shout out to my husband who has never left my side and taken really good care of me and the children when I was completely useless. This included injecting me for 14 nights with blood thinners, which he admittedly enjoyed administering!

Two, I want to remind myself that time heals all wounds. It might take me another 5 months or more to walk normally again and go back to all the physical activities I’ve missed, but the important thing is — I will heal. I didn’t see my own leg x-ray but I was told my bones shattered like glass. So I googled ski accidents with tibia and fibula fracture while lying in the hospital bed waiting for my surgery schedule. An x-ray of a fractured leg popped out and that gave me a lot of hope for my recovery.

Lastly, I am jotting all this down for my own sanity. Accepting my situation — my being broke and broken (literally) perhaps will help me be brazen again. I know acknowledging what keeps me at my lowest these days will help me find a way out of my misery. Although, I must also admit defeat and embrace those days when the bed’s pull is so strong (which happened this morning again but glad to report I managed to be stronger in the afternoon). Instead of feeling useless, I also have been advised to embrace the pause in my life right now and enjoy the down time and be present for my children.

I am pretty sure I will land a job soon. I am also certain my leg will fully heal one day. But that’s the beauty of being broke and broken — you come out stronger – even titanium-like! Cue in Titanium by David Guetta and Sia…