Opening a Can('t) of worms

Long-term phsysical pain hits twofold: the first is the intial and obvious physical discomfort; the second is the perception of your abilities by your peers. Last night I went to a halloween party (I was Inspector Gadget, complete with the go-go-gadget arms, which were quite the hit I'll have you know) and a friend of mine, in telling a story, let it slip that she had gone kayaking the week before. Now her version of kayaking and mine are very different, but that is not the point. See, she had intentionally not told me, because she knew how much I loved the activity and how much I missed it. She also knew I was frustrated at my inability to do the activities that I love so much, so out of kindness she neglected to share with me her experience. However, her omission was double-edged. It made me feel blaringly and hopelessly handicapped; as if my disability was permanent and so the activities I may have enjoyed in my 'past life' were now unmentionables; like mentioning an upcoming marathon to a paralyzed runner. And it has made me all the more obvious of the activities I cannot do currently, and increases my dispair that I may not be able to do those things ever again. The pain will be terrible, but the limitations and perceptions may be the final blow. I don't want to walk around defeated, but I fear that's the direction my can'ts seem to be taking me.