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Exit Wounds:
Climbing Through Adversity

In Exit Wounds, Melissa Strong, a sponsored rock climber and aspiring restauranteur, unveils her remarkable journey of survival and resilience in the face of mortality after being horrifically injured from electricity. As she navigates the complex realm of medical intervention, enduring multiple surgeries and an arduous recovery, Strong discovers within herself an indomitable spirit that propels her through the shadows of adversity. 

Transporting readers back to her early days in New England, where a sedentary existence and a reluctance toward physical activity defined her, Strong vividly recounts her transformation from a self-described “C” student in gym class to a sponsored rock climber. Through her narrative, she dismantles conventional expectations, forging a distinctive path that leads her to a fervent pursuit of culinary artistry and entrepreneurship, ultimately culminating in the realization of her own restaurant venture. 

Navigating the intricacies of parenthood and grappling with the challenges of infertility, Melissa Strong boldly rebounds toward her passions, weaving her dreams into tangible aspirations. The vision of her restaurant takes shape, yet in a fateful twist, a near-fatal encounter with a powerful electric current during the renovation process leaves her confronting the stark reality of her altered hands, once the lifeblood of her livelihood and rock-climbing ardor. Undaunted, she immerses herself in the rigors of recovery, determined to triumph over adversity or face its potential undoing. 

Exit Wounds is a poignant chronicle of Melissa Strong's unwavering fortitude, an inspiring testament to the triumph of the human spirit over life's most daunting challenges. Join us on a journey through the heart of one woman's extraordinary resilience, where passion, purpose, and perseverance converge to redefine the boundaries of possibility. 

 A light prickling sensation instantly started in both of my hands.

The electricity gradually pulsated through my body as I comprehended what was happening.

I am dying

the tunnle

I will never climb again,
I screeched

you will only have four fingers

You were such a
strong climber

Holes carved
through my chest

I grasped the strands of my safety net,
I pulled the fabric tight,
I will survive 

My initial thought was to let go of the leads, but the electricity forced my grip to tighten.

I thought, scream for help. I tried. I could not command my vocal cords to elicit a sound.

I am dying

A beautiful forrest

The electricity forced my grip to tighten

We cannot save your thumbs

My body and my will betrayed me.

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