Two months ago a close friend of mine tore her Achilles’ tendon while playing tennis. She is a very active individual and her social life revolves mainly around the activity clubs she belongs to. I found out about her injury via a Facebook post.

Throughout the past eight weeks she has posted updates on her rehab progress. Updates ranged from her progress at physical therapy, to who popped by for a visit and boosted her spirits, to how her incision was healing. And though I could have gone without the pictures of the surgery incision, I have appreciated the honesty and raw emotion behind her posts.  

Facebook has allowed her to keep in close contact with her support system even though she can’t make it to the tennis court 3 times a week.  It has also allowed me as a friend who lives in another province the ability to keep up to date and support her even if it is with a “like” or a small comment here or there.

The Internet can be so powerful in the way that it connects people, educates them on their illness or injury and empowers them to take charge of their recovery.

People can now share their experiences with strangers who have the same injuries or illnesses, research their own treatment options or even become advocates for others long after they have recovered.

See on wellpepper.com