Tiffany Middleton: My Story

Please note – This is a portion of the blog interview. To read the full blog and others, please join The Dignity project Community Hub

My story begins in 2013 when I fell off my bike as I was navigating a pathway. I had cycled the path many times before, but a split-second decision to give way changed my life. I broke my tibia and fibula in my right ankle and required emergency realignment then surgery (Weber Type C – worst category said the A&E doctor).

For three years following my accident, medical decisions were managed by a work rehab officer and Work Cover. During this period, I had multiple surgeries to correct major nerve and muscle damage as well as tendon issues. It was a series of surgery, rehab and work at reduced capacity from a wheelchair, crutches or a walking cane. Looking back, it was the moment when I was examined by an independent orthopaedic surgeon that I had never felt more undignified. In a matter of minutes, I was labelled as someone with a disability and left feeling vulnerable – as I had limited understanding of what that meant for me. During the examination the doctor pushed and prodded my injured limb, telling me to relax – which was easier said than done! My scars marked the spot, but I had to hold back tears while he inspected my entire leg with a stony face and took me past my pain threshold. Unbeknown to me, this was only just the beginning of my journey and most of the damage was below the surface.

To read the rest of this Tiffany’s sorty and others in full, visit The Dignity Project and join the Community Hub, by clicking the button that says "Join the Community Hub":