"Nine years after I had my own accident, I find that in trying to go back to doing those things that I used to do just doesn't fit. Everything seems to just fall apart. I don't know why but I think it is because I am this new creature"

In this poignant quote by Ben Vereen, a distinguished actor and entertainer, we witness a deep sense of change and the struggle for identity following a life-altering event. The temporal marker "9 years" signifies a significant duration, stressing that this is not a fresh injury however one that has lingered and reshaped the fabric of his life.

Vereen speaks to a universal theme of change and adaptation. The expression "trying to go back to doing those things that I used to do" records a yearning for the past and the familiar. It reflects a natural human desire to recover one's previous self and life, particularly after an upheaval. Nevertheless, his subsequent awareness that it "simply doesn't fit" indicates an extensive shift; his past self no longer lines up seamlessly with his present truth.

The expression "Everything appears to just break down" conveys a sense of disappointment and chaos. It suggests that efforts to go back to the old methods not only fail however might also result in further disintegration, highlighting the dissonance between previous capabilities and existing constraints or circumstances. This acknowledgment can be discouraging, as it necessitates not simply approval but likewise the arduous job of redefining oneself.

Vereen's introspection reaches a crescendo with, "I think it is since I am this brand-new animal". This metaphor of ending up being a "brand-new creature" is effective. It implies a rebirth or metamorphosis, where pre-accident and post-accident identities diverge substantially. It's not merely about adapting old habits but acknowledging, and possibly welcoming, an essentially altered sense of self.

Eventually, Vereen's words suggest that individual development frequently stems from embracing modification instead of withstanding it. His journey highlights the courage needed to forge a brand-new identity, accepting the present self without being connected to previous expectations or identities. This reflection works as a testimony to human durability and the capacity for reinvention in the middle of adversity.