What do You Have to Lose by Trying?

Yesterday, while listening to the radio during my morning commute, a thirty-seven year old woman called in and shared an inspiring story.

As a child, an accident caused her to lose all the fingers on one hand. At the hospital, three surgeons told her mother there was nothing that could be done. A fourth surgeon became aware of the situation just as he was leaving to go home for the day. He approached her mother and said he was willing to attempt the surgery necessary to reattach the fingers to the girl’s hand.

His words were, “What do we have to lose by trying?”

The surgery was successful, and today the woman has full feeling and movement in her hand.

The doctor died several years ago, but recently, the woman felt compelled to call his wife and ask if she knew what he had done for a little girl that day. The man had never spoken about it, as he usually kept quiet about his work.

The doctor didn't perform the surgery out of desire to elevate himself. He just wanted to help. And because of being willing to try, he changed a little girl’s life. In more ways than one. Not only does she have a normal, functioning hand, the woman learned something she’ll never forget. Don’t be afraid to try something out of fear that you might fail.

Are you holding back from anything?

What do you have to lose by trying?

Dawn