I DIDN’T WANT A CAREGIVER—

After a car accident left me paralyzed, I rejected help, struggling with daily tasks and grief. When Saara, a young caregiver, arrived, I kept her at a distance, but her humor and directness broke through. One day, after I broke down over a dropped bowl, she sat with me, showing me it was okay to feel loss. Over time, we bonded, but she soon shared that she might move three hours away for a new job. I hid my fear of losing her support, but Saara

encouraged me to try adaptive sports. I joined wheelchair basketball and hand cycling, rediscovering joy in movement. On her last day, we parted tearfully, but that night, she surprised me by attending my first official game, cheering me to victory. Saara taught me resilience and the courage to embrace a new life. Though she left, I promised to keep moving forward, carrying her impact with me.