Nicole's Story - Recovery Can Be Difficult

[Story collected in a personal interview.]

"It was the end of last April. I was crossing Broadway at North Street, and I got hit by a car. Since then, I haven’t been able to step up on curbs easily. I’m terrified of trying that now. Before I got hit, I used to walk 40 minutes a day, either around the apartment building or around the park or somewhere else. The accident has slowed me down quite a bit. I can barely make it across Broadway while the walking signal is on. Now, I’m cooped up in my apartment a lot. I can’t even get up on a bus easily.

"I’d like to see longer walking light signals, and I’d like the sidewalks to be flatter because you can trip really easily where they are uneven. I’ve tripped on the sidewalk outside of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, where the trees have pushed up the concrete.

"I had a heart attack, so I know it’s important to walk. I know I should walk more to help my leg and my heart, but the trauma of the accident and a long recovery has made it hard."