Embracing the long road to recovery
It is no doubt Angie Svitak has a long list of qualifications and accolades to back up her professional success, but likely the first thing you’d notice about her upon meeting is her genuine smile and infectious laugh. Breaking the mold of a stereotypical stuffy accountant, Angie’s authentic yet firm style offers her clients peace of mind as they navigate the road ahead.
A California native who relocated to Texas in 2009, Angie has always lived an active lifestyle. Walking, hiking, baking and chasing after her two sons has always kept her both busy and moving. However, in recent years a past knee injury was not only slowing her down—but getting in the way of the things she loved. She knew it was time to take action.
In October, Angie had major bone realignment surgery on her right tibia. Following the surgery, she was on crutches for 6 weeks and working hard on rebuilding muscle and regaining strength. As most know, life does not pause for situations like this and physical therapy was carefully scheduled between client consults, carpools and life.
By mid-December, when this photograph was taken, Angie had graduated to primarily walking without support and was feeling optimistic about her recovery progress.
On Christmas day, that all changed. At home with her family, as they all planned to snuggle in for the evening with a movie, Angie tripped on a small stair leading into the media room. She collapsed as her leg gave out, bursting open her existing surgical incision and fracturing both her tibia and fibula. After a 9-1-1 call, paramedic ride and emergency surgery, Angie now has a plate and five screws in her leg and is back to square one of her recovery.
“Probably greater than the physical pain is the emotional exhaustion of it all,” Angie says. “I’m an independent person, used to juggling many things at once, but this unexpected event quite literally, knocked me down. I’m having to ask for help—and really resign to the fact that I cannot do it all myself. Something that feels even more difficult since it’s the second time and will be twice as long.”
She says the whole situation reminds her of many of the conversations she’s had over the years with her clients—especially during that first initial planning consultation.
“New clients come in, juggling both the clinical and business side of the practice, hesitant to let go and accept help. I can just hear myself reminding them that it is okay to accept help and relinquish control of some areas of the business to our team,” Angie reminisces. “And ironically, now here I am, again. Having to not only ask for, but accept the help of my co-workers, family and friends.”
Read more about Angie, or get to know more of the CPAs at Cain Watters at cainwatters.com/our-team.
