Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
We represent a lot of people at our firm, De Broglio Inc Attorneys, who suffer from various forms of paralysis. As one helps people with conditions that one has never had, one does one’s best to get them monetary compensation and to make sure that they can get all the medical treatment they need going forward. One can never really appreciate what it is to be in their position, just like nobody who has run a law firm, involved in this work, would ever understand the true financial pressures, stress and unpleasant clients that the owner of a law firm has to deal with. I am not equating the two at all, but what I am really saying is that until you walk in somebody else’s shoes you never really understand them even if you think that you do.
My example is really a bit of a pathetic one, but I recently had an arthroscopy on my shoulder and they gave me a nerve blocker in my arm. I could not believe how heavy my arm became, how it simply flopped at my side, when it was not in the sling, and I could not do anything about it. In particular, you become very aware that your mind controls your body because you focus very hard, for example, on trying to move your fingers and however much I focused and however hard I tried, I simply could not do anything other than twitch my left thumb about half a centimetre. No other fingers at all would respond in any way. It is incredibly frustrating to not be able to move a part of your body and when you touch that part of your body, to not even sense or feel it. My finger for example flopped in my soup bowl, but I never felt it until my children pointed it out to me. The effects for me lasted 24 hours and it was on the one arm only – can you imagine people who have to go through the rest of their lives like that? It takes so much adapting and so much bravery.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 19-Jun-17
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Brenda Du Toit said:
on Tuesday 04-Jul-17 09:56 AM
I do not think that we would ever understand until we are in the same position. it's not easy not doing stuff for yourself.I really look up and my heart also goes to the disabled people.
Jessica M said:
on Tuesday 04-Jul-17 09:54 AM
I also would never like to be Paralyzed and it takes a lot for people that are to be positive and motivated. They are way better human beings than us that are so ungrateful for everything we don't have in life.
Cornelie said:
on Monday 03-Jul-17 04:43 PM
I feel so terribly sorry for paralysed people I cannot imagine myself not be able to do what I do now we can be so great full for what we can do.
Nicolle said:
on Monday 03-Jul-17 03:19 PM
This is an issue that is linked closely to my heart. I cannot, for the life of me, imagine what it would be like to have a completely function mind and soul, but, body that is failing you on daily basis. The emotions, depression, anxiety and stress must be unfathomable.
Tersia said:
on Monday 03-Jul-17 07:54 AM
You are also constantly aware of this "problem" in your body. You will feel like everybody knows or can see that there is something wrong with you, no matte how small and even if it's hidden away. I have tried to imagine myself to not walk ever again in my life or to lose an arm or a leg and yet you feel and think no I would not be able to and then there's our clients making it work for them. They still have a positive outlook on life and are so happy and cheerful. That's one thing I love about the work we do, you realize your life is really not that bad and you should not be complaining about your circumstances and that we get to help them make their lives a little bit better.
Helen said:
on Friday 30-Jun-17 11:20 AM
Just a thought to be paralyzed makes me terrified, I have never felt that way and wish very hard not too!! We are doing amazing job with all our client's compensations but there is no amount of money on earth can buy health and freedom to be not dependent on someone else because of being paralyzed!
Liesl said:
on Thursday 29-Jun-17 02:58 PM
It's only once something doesn't work that one realises how important it's role was. It's also only once you get older that you realise that the silly things you got up to in your youth is now starting to catch up to you and in hind sight you wish you weren't so stupid
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Wednesday 28-Jun-17 11:41 AM
I don't think any amount of compensation will ever be enough when loosing a arm or a leg. I can't imagine not having the abillty to do something I was use to doing everyday.
patrick said:
on Tuesday 27-Jun-17 03:36 PM
its true the taste of the pudding is in the eating. it was not until I dealt with a Bracial Plexus injury that I cancelled Motorcycle riding lessons.one can never understands until it comes home.
Thabitha said:
on Monday 26-Jun-17 02:33 PM
I can not imagine losing just one of sense so begin paralyzed its a big storm, we must be grateful each and every day because people are facing difficult times out there and I respect paralyze people especially those who has accepted that big change in their lives and move on they are brave.
brumilde said:
on Monday 26-Jun-17 11:13 AM
The clients get compensated yes from the RAF(using as a reference), but i agree, my hand or arm or leg is not worth any money on this earth. its very sad what people go through luckily De Broglio Attorneys always does their best to get the most we can for the clients.
Liz said:
on Monday 26-Jun-17 08:02 AM
In the words of Atticus Finch “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb in his skin and walk around in it". We will never really know the challenges and obstacles faced by people that are paralyzed or suffering from other disabilities, as we are not able to truly experience what it is like to live everyday as they do. One should be grateful for all the positive things in one's life and stop complaining about the little things.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 08:27 AM
I cannot imagine the thought of being paralyzed or blind. Knowing that I was able to do things on my own and then having a life changing experience of being paralyzed or blind scares me to death. When one is born this way, he / she manages to deal and cope with it because he / she never knew anything different. But being born normal and having a life changing experience is another thing.
Prishani said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 08:12 AM
The thought of this gives me chills down my spine. It is heart-breaking to see people having to cope with something as traumatising as this, at the same time it always reminds me to stop complaining about the unnecessary things and start being grateful for the things most people are guilty of taking for granted. Like the ability to wake up and use your hands and legs every day!
Lourien said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 02:37 PM
Even when working with people that have been paralyzed and understanding what they are going through as you can see what pain it causes and how hard it is to carry on with their lives, I do not think that we would ever understand until we are in the same position. I do not want to imagine how it feels as that alone is hart breaking. That said the faster you recover and the stronger your will is to overcome your situation you are in the easier it will be, its something that one has to accept and deal with everyday and focusing on the out come and I fine these people very motivating and inspiring.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 12:05 PM
You definitely can never judge or begin to imagine anothers life unless you walk a mile in their shoes. It must be so incredibly hard if you are born an able being and then suddenly lose a limb or become paralyzed. It is however so heartwarming when I come across such a client who has decided to accept what has happened and is highly motivated - and I have been fortunate enough to work with clients who have a new outlook on life. It will never change what has happened to them but the positive attitudes of some clients are just so refreshing! Some people adapt quicker than others and I don't ever want to imagine that happening to myself.
Jadine Richards said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 11:41 AM
I can imagine that it certainly does take a lot of courage to be able to participate in the average tasks of daily living when one is paralyzed in any way. I am often astonished by clients who are amputee's in one form or another who are able to still go about life with a smile on their faces and a positive attitude... It is admirable.
Jolene said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 09:09 AM
I cannot imagine how it must feel when you wake up in hospital with an amputated limb or you are paralyzed and you realize you will never be able to use your legs ever again. I think it is one of the hardest things to make peace with. I really look up to disabled people.
Sarah said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 08:22 AM
I really cant imagine being paralyzed, we are really blessed. We cant play with our kids or even use the toilet on our own. There is paralyzed people out there that really are amazing the stuff they learnt to do and how positive they are about life.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 21-Jun-17 07:14 AM
I take my hat off for people that are paralyzed and still stay positive. Your whole life change and they need to learn how to do things differently and allow people to help them. Each day we complain about our bodies meanwhile there are people wishing just to walk again. We should appreciate the things we have before they're gone.
Michelle said:
on Tuesday 20-Jun-17 11:36 AM
Having pins and needles after a nice nap sometimes can be irritating too, to wait for that part of your body to get normal again. I know it’s a completely different thing, but not to use that part for a while are very frustrating. And I can just think to lose the ability of your limbs permanent must be very tragic, especially on an emotional level. Getting paralyzed after an accident must be a huge ad judgement. I'm so thankful to be a very healthy person.
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 20-Jun-17 08:59 AM
It's one thing to imagine what it feels like and a completely different thing to actually walk in someone else's shoes. I can not imagine going through it and have to agree that we do take things for granted. I had a conversation the one day and when she spoke about the client she advised that how inconvenience it actually is to only have one arm, simple things we take for granted eg to hold a cup of coffee in one hand and to dip a rusk with your other hand is not possible for those who only have one arm. Like I said the simplest thing we take for granted until we don't have that ability anymore.I agree it does take so much adapting and so much bravery.
Mathilda said:
on Tuesday 20-Jun-17 08:04 AM
I can’t even imagine being completely paralyzed not to be able to walk or just give my parents a hug it’s these small things we take for granted we are so blessed and privileged
Jadine E said:
on Tuesday 20-Jun-17 07:26 AM
We never really appreciate when we are used to having some thing unless it takes quite a terrible loss (accidents especially).
Joyce said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 05:03 PM
I use to go see clients in one of public hospitals in Johannesburg and was so sad seeing and listening to people who telling you that they use to have and see with their both eyes and now left with one eye, and some lost their legs, so sad. Not nice experience to not be able to move a part of your body.
Nikita said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 04:18 PM
We often deal with clients that have some form of paralysis or amputation and to hear what this takes away from their lives is heart breaking. For example a client who has had one arm amputated has a complete loss of balance which interferes with even the most basic functions of the human body such as going to the toilet. We always try our best for all our clients. Having the pictures of the clients on their files really brings the matter home. Every time you work on that file you remember that person and the pain they are living with.
Daniella said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 11:17 AM
Our biggest blessing is our health, I used to hear that a lot as a kid and I would just brush it off, Sadly we still take it for granted and its something that we are truly blessed to have a health mind, health Body and functioning bodily fluids.
Melissa said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 11:15 AM
My heart goes out to people are paralyzed and who can't do physical things. They are stuck in that wheelchair for life. I feel so sorry for them because they can't actually enjoy life and do the things they wanted to do like normal people. We can all be grateful that we are all healthy and can live life to the fullest.
Clare said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 10:15 AM
I would never be able to imagine how it would be like to have no control of your body. It is so sad and I feel so bad for people that cant run cant walk cant use there arms. My heart also goes to the people that need to look after these people that cant do thing for themselves.
Suzanne said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 09:12 AM
I think most of us go through life being oblivious to the fact that we are so privileged just for being able to use our whole body. Being able to hear, see, speak and walk around. Here, we do see a lot of horrific injuries and how if affects a person, but you would never fully understand until you are in the same position.
Nina said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 08:55 AM
I think we tend take things for granted and we do not always appreciate our health. It is scary to think that it can all change in a split second. We should take more time to appreciate the fact that we can walk, talk, see, hear and enjoy life.
Zindy said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 08:53 AM
I myself can not even imagine not being able to cater my own needs, We are truly lucky and blessed I cant imagine not being able to make dinner for my family, do washing, pick up my baby girl, run around and play with her. Some people are not able to go to the toilet alone, take a bath. Its really heart breaking. The worst thing about a disability is that most people see it before they see you. You need a strong mind to be able to cope accept it.
Lucretia said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 08:40 AM
I have to agree with you on this one. We take so much for granted until we are unable to use it for a while for whatever reason. I am very grateful that I have all my senses and my health. I cannot imagine not being able to do things for myself, no matter how big or small.
Bianca N. said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 08:21 AM
I can not begin to imagine how it must feel to not be able to move your own body, no matter how hard you try or how hard you concentrate on moving it.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 08:06 AM
I have often been told that the mind determines a person's physical capacity and to have a strong mind but an unresponsive body must be so painful - to think that you can but in actual fact you simply cannot! I am yet to be incapacitated in such way and hope that I do not come close to experiencing it. We wish you the best for your recovery Michael.
Alexis said:
on Monday 19-Jun-17 07:11 AM
Must be quite a horrible experience, I would not wish anything like this on anybody at all. Some of us are quite fortunate to have what we have and do what we do. That is one thing I like about working here, is the people we assist on a daily basis to make sure that they have a good life, in a way....it cannot be easy for one to have that movement, and then have it snatched away so easily
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
