Rooftop Walking

Two years ago, I lost my lower right leg and had to learn how to walk again with a prosthetic.

I’ve shared some of those early challenges before—the first steps, the falls, the triumphs.

Learning to walk with a prosthetic is a steep learning curve. Every step requires concentration. You have to think about where to place your foot, how to shift your weight, and how to maintain your balance. It feels unnatural, and the ground seems to have a new level of complexity.

A few months ago, I fell and broke my hip on the same side. Just like that, I was back to square one, facing the daunting task of learning to walk again. It has been a humbling and difficult experience.

After the hip replacement, the challenges were different but equally tough. My body had already adapted to the prosthetic, but now my new hip was a wild card. It was painful and unfamiliar, and my muscles had to relearn how to work together. It was a frustrating and at times frightening process, but I knew I couldn’t give up.

This week, I’ve been feeling particularly good about my progress, hence the latest video shot earlier today.

My physiotherapist, Pieta, has been a huge help. One of our main goals right now is to get me to stop looking at the ground so much. When you fear a fall, it’s a natural instinct to stare at the ground, constantly checking for obstacles.

While it’s important to be aware of my surroundings, my physio is encouraging me to look up and look ahead. It’s a small change, but it’s a monumental step toward building confidence and trust in my body. It’s a sign that I’m not just surviving—I’m moving forward. But the last two years has also shown me, there may be setbacks, too. Every day presents something new.