Genre: Opinion/Argumentation

I 'm 23 years old , I live with my parents and I am currently out of work . When I was younger , about 15 , I was a bit wayward . ( I suppose most teenagers are at some time ) . After I had left school I did n't have much going for me . One day early in 1997 I decided that I should do something with my life . I took a big step ; I went to live with some friends in Liverpool . After I had been there about two weeks I had got myself a job as a security officer , shortly after that I found myself a nice flat ( first floor ) . Things were looking up . Work was going well and I had the opportunity to apply for a site supervisor's job . I was gradually paying off my debts and everyone thought I was finally sorted out ( Including me ) . I met a man at work ; we got on well and started seeing more of each other . October 25th was his birthday and he asked me to go with him and his friends for a night out , I agreed . Whilst we were out his ex-girlfriend turned up . I was polite and tried not to upset her . The evening ended for me at the point when she attacked me . My head was bounced repeatedly off of a brick wall and as I hit the floor I was kicked in the side of my right leg . Two of his friends came with me in the ambulance to the hospital , but after I had waited about an hour I discharged myself without seeing a doctor . The next day I could hardly walk , my right knee was the size of a football and I could not turn my head . A friend came to see me and took me back to the hospital . After being kept in overnight they strapped my leg and gave me crutches put a collar on my neck and sent me home . I could n't do anything for myself , I tried to cope for about a week and then I phoned my parents and asked if I could come home . Of course two days later they came to get me . I got home on November 5th , the next day my dad took me to the local hospital . When I was finally seen by a doctor he said that the cartilage in my knee was split and that I had torn tendons and ligaments . My leg was put in a cast for three weeks to give these a chance to heal . When I had the cast removed the orthopaedic specialist was not happy , I was put on the ward and I went into surgery four hours later . I underwent an " Arthroscopy " , ( this is where they make two holes one each side of the knee and go inside to fix what damage there is ) . When I woke up and saw the doctor afterwards they told me that they could find no damage . I had months of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy , this helped slightly but I was still in chronic pain . For months they kept saying that they would n't give up on me , that they would find what was wrong and fix it , I believed them and lived in hope . In February 1999 a hospital specialist told me that there was nothing they could do for me , " I 'm afraid you 'll just have to learn to live with what you 've got " was close enough to what he said . I was angry , very angry , ( for a few days ) , then I was distraught , and as far as I could tell my life was ruined . I still suffer from severe pain and limited mobility , on a good day I only have to use one crutch but on a bad day I need both . I have to limit myself to what I can do , because there 's a lot that I would like to do but ca n't . It has taken me a long time to be able to say , " I AM DISABLED " and to try to believe it myself . I 've done three part-time computer courses and passed them all . I now ride a Suzuki GS750 Trike , and I also ride pillion on my fiancé's Triumph T ' Bird I can still go to rallies and shows but we have to stop quite frequently so I can rest my leg . I still have bad days ( like everyone ) but I realise now that things could be a lot worse and at least I 'm getting some of my life back .