EGG HARBOR CITY WOMAN BACK IN THE SADDLE AFTER ALMOST LOSING HER LEG
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EGG HARBOR CITY -- Adversity is a term that is frequently used when we are faced with hardships and for one egg harbor city woman adversity is just another obstacle to hurdle.

Some limits aren’t meant to be broken but in the case of Susan Cossabone, the limitations that were placed on her after a car accident in 2009 were ones she knew she would have to overcome someday.

“They didn’t know if they could save the leg and i found out later they didn’t know if i was going to make it,” said Susan Cossabone.

The hospital managed to save Susan’s leg was but for a horse trainer and avid horse rider, Susan now faced the possibility of losing her passion to work with her favorite animal.

“My animals are my life. I work with horses that would normally be at risk. They come here we rehab them and put them with kids who normally get into trouble and the thought of given that up i couldn’t fathom that,” Cossabone said.

And after several major surgeries and rehabilitation programs things still looked grim for Susan as her bone gave away and amputations seemed to be the only option.

“Very scared, I have a very strong faith. I pulled all my faith, did a lot of praying and was very angry when he said amputation because I just felt like they were just given up and I wasn’t ready to give up,”
added Cossabone.

So, Susan continued searching for options, and explored the option of having a cadaver stem cell transplant to her leg.

And as of today the transplant is holding up. And Susan is no longer in risk of amputation and in spring of this year she was able to achieve her first goal which was being able to walk again.

“That was the most ultimate amazing high i have ever experienced. I went to Doctor Myserson office, the brace you saw me with outside he took me out of that we put on a shoe for the first time in many years and that was weird enough as it goes. And to be able to put pressure on my food and be able to walk
again that was something I thought I’d never be able to feel again,” said Cossabone.

Now able to walk short distances, Susan wouldn’t stop there as she finally managed to get back in the saddle once again and enjoy what she loves the most.

“Now I need a lot of help getting on and off of a horse which is okay but the feeling to be able to get back in the saddle again made all this fight worth while because there’s no greater feeling than being on the back of a horse,” said Cossabone.

And Susan’s amazing story continues as she will take part in the donate life rose parade.