Crossing the High Country

Sumrall, Amber Coverdale

Primary Category: Literature / Fiction

Squier, Harriet

Date of entry: Dec-05-1997

Summary

A middle aged woman goes backpacking for the first time in 14 years after losing her leg in an automobile accident. As she recounts the excursion, with its difficulties and exhilaration, she reflects on the ways her life was changed by losing her leg, and the emotional journey she has taken since the accident. She concludes by thinking about how to find power despite her vulnerability, how to adjust and accommodate, but never compromise.

Commentary

Health care providers often witness the physical gains of persons shortly after they have lost a limb or developed other disabilities. The emotional losses and the impact of the disability on one’s self-identity is harder to witness. This story is effective in describing both the everyday concerns of health maintenance for a disabled person, as well as the ways this disabled woman works to stay mentally healthy.

Primary Source

I Am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted

Publisher

Papier Mache

Place Published

Watsonville, Calif.

Edition

1994

Editor

Sandra Haldeman Martz