I know, the answer to the title is very much a "Yes!"
Yes, accidents - small or big do affect our self-confidence, especially when the mishap occurs when we are least prepared. That's the reason they are accidents, but we go in complete shock when the smash happens with something we are fond of doing - riding a bike or driving a car for example.
Physically and mentally healthy may recover quickly after a small or bearable accident. People opposite to that might require more time to come out of the shock.
However, traumatic accidents spare none. Apart from disturbing normal flow of life, they ruin the victims and lives of others. While those who survive - they either lose their confidence completely or are left handicapped for life. It pains to see handicapped survivors.
Sharing my own experience of a bizarre accident that I met last week.
I was on way to my office on my two-wheeler. I was at a crossroad signal, where I was supposed to turn right that led to my work place. We have timer traffic signals in Ahmadabad at most junctions.
So, I was watching the countdown - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO! I wonder what happened all of a sudden - I lost my balance from the vehicle and fell on my left side with the vehicle just overlapping my left leg. My mind had several thoughts running at the same time and my heart sank few beats. I was lucky - the car behind me slowed down and stopped till the time I was back on my feet. Within moments I was at the signal waiting for it to go green again - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO!
Riding on slow speed, I reached the office parking and limped to the elevator.
Gosh! I wasn't frightened, but tense.
Once in the office, I hastily searched for first-aid, but the kit was missing. I cleaned the bruises with cold water. I felt better. But the wounds started to pinch with sharp pain.
Ah! The pain was bearable though.
At 10:10 am my manager was in. I shared the incident. I was asked to take a day off, but I was firm to finish my morning tasks, which I did.
Finally, I left for home almost 2 hours after the accident. I was grateful to the manager for allowing me to go home.
Yes, the above story focuses only on me, but I am fully aware; there are hundreds and thousands of people on earth who meet with life-threatening road accidents - every minute, some die on the spot while some lose their life during treatment.
And there are many who are left with physical disability for life and some are so shocked that they never return to normalcy.
This freak accident has altered my self-confidence. There is a constant fear of falling off the vehicle or getting hit by another vehicle.
Who should be held responsible - the over cautious ones or the completely reckless ones?
