My husband, Brian, is someone who would run 20 miles per week. He did this for years! It was a big part of his life, as is his work. He is a window cleaner and works physically and many hours per week. All this abruptly stopped on December 2, 2024, when he fell from a ladder while cleaning second-story windows. The ladder slipped and he came straight down on his feet and ankles, breaking both tibias and a finger. He needed surgery on both legs, and he had to have a plate and screws put in one leg and a couple of screws in the other leg. He was told he could not stand for 12 weeks. That was a complete life-changer (at least temporarily) for someone who lives a very active lifestyle.

He was treated at Halifax Health and well taken care of by everyone he came in contact with. Dr. McCall at The Orthopedic Clinic in Port Orange performed the surgery. He was absolutely wonderful, as was his team, including Trenton. They provided such good care, and we are so grateful! I'm so amazed that there are people like Dr. McCall who can put people back together as he did. It's amazing! At his 12-week appointment, he was given the green light to start standing and return to walking.

Days later, he began physical therapy at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Port Orange. He signed up for 20 sessions of physical therapy and has had most of them under the care of Kendra, who has been awesome. After every session with her, he was well aware of the advancement he was making in his recovery. She has helped him so much! He went from non-weight bearing to having difficulty standing, to using a walker for two weeks, to using a cane for a week, to walking without aide. His sessions challenge and keep him progressing, allowing him to regain more mobility and, ultimately, his normal life. He isn't yet completely back to normal, but he's close.

Last summer, we booked a cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We considered canceling the cruise when he broke his legs, but the doctor said not to cancel it, that he'd be walking by then. As the cruise got closer, we canceled the hiking excursions we had booked and opted for less strenuous ones. I don't know if he could comfortably do any of them. On March 30, our anniversary, we took that cruise and he did great. He got around even better than I thought he would! He continued doing the exercises Kendra had given him and even challenged himself by working on the stairs.

Before the cruise, he went out for a couple of hours to try working again, and then when we got back from the cruise, he began driving again and officially went back to work after being off for 4.5 months. He isn't working as many hours right now, not as he normally would, but he is easing into it and working his way back. He's determined, and it keeps him working on healing and progressing. He can now walk up and down stairs, and just last week, he could finally squat to get into a tub (this was a big deal because he loves baths). As for running, the future in that remains to be seen. The doctors say he likely won't be a runner again because the plate by his ankle will make it too painful. I know my husband, though, and once he feels strong enough, I know he will be trying. If he can't run again, I know he already plans to take up biking.

Coincidentally, two weeks prior to his accident, he called me over to our large palm tree and told me to hold the ladder for him as he climbed up it to cut a dead branch. I didn't want to do it, and he knew that, but I did so. As I stood there, I told him how dangerous ladders are, not just for the person on it, but for anyone holding them, too. I know someone who was holding the ladder for her husband when he fell off, and she broke his fall and she sustained a shattered hip. According to the American Ladder Institute, around half a million people per year are treated by orthopedic doctors for ladder injuries, and 300 people per year die from ladder falls. I know we live in a world that always makes it impossible for everyone to avoid ladders, so please be aware of ladder safety and keep it in mind. Here are some ladder safety tips from the University of South Florida.

Having one broken leg is a challenge, but having two simultaneously is hard to believe. I'm so glad that the hardest part of it all is now behind us, and I'm sure my husband is, too! ;)

- Jacqueline

April 17, 2025