Gini
“If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be DON’T PANIC! Take a step back and try to see the big picture before losing control. It may take time for the picture to come into focus, but everything will fall into place as it should.”
Gini’s resilience has enabled her to transform obstacles into accomplishments. Almost a decade ago, a tragic accident led to heartbreaking loss and the amputation of her right leg. Despite the adversities and the dozens of surgeries that came in the aftermath, she has never surrendered her goal to walk unassisted once again. This past April, she was able to make extensive progress, taking steps for the first time in years with her full prosthesis. She continues to work every day on her physical and mental strength, maintaining her positivity on the road to recovery. She is a gleaming example of how one’s unwavering determination can overcome the confines of any challenge. This is Gini’s story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
G: I’m Gini Thomas, born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama.
I married my soul mate, Joe, at the age of 25. We had exactly 17 months of wedded bliss before we were in a serious motorcycle accident that killed him instantly. I was critically injured, but was conscious right after impact and saw everything; I sometimes wish I hadn’t.
After 3 years of limb salvage surgeries, I opted for above the knee amputation of my right leg. A few months later, I was fitted with my prosthesis and thriving. 2 years later, my femur developed heterotopic ossification. Essentially, I had a giant bone spur at the distal end of the bone, and I was unable to walk due to the pain. I had surgery to revise this problem, but the spur grew back, three times.
After a few years on crutches, I was approached by a friend in the prosthetics industry who asked if I would be interested in osseointegration surgery. YES! It is still relatively new, but it’s like a dental implant for an arm or a leg instead of teeth. I had the final surgery (my 20th since my wreck) on January 27th, 2022. I’m still a few months away from walking unassisted, but I will be getting my full prosthesis set up next week. It has been a long journey, but I’m hoping to be walking pain free by the 10 year anniversary of the accident in August of this year.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
G: My favorite thing about myself is my strong will, which my family will say is also known as stubbornness. I don’t know how to quit. Once I have my mind set on a goal, I will do everything in my power to achieve it.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
G: If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be DON’T PANIC! Take a step back and try to see the big picture before losing control. It may take time for the picture to come into focus, but everything will fall into place as it should.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
G: To me, being a woman means balancing soft and strong. I sometimes feel I have to be OVERLY strong to prove myself, but I don’t want that determination to get in the way of my softness for others.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
G: One woman who inspires me every day is Lacey Henderson. She is a Paralympic athlete who also deals in sports psychology and mental health awareness. Her strength and desire to help others is something I aspire to. I am so appreciative of her authenticity and her desire to improve inclusivity for all.
