[Grammar] in spite of her losing/ in spite of having lost

[Oceanlike]

I’m trying to connect the two sentences into one using the preposition ‘in spite of’. I have deliberately omitted using the phrase ‘the fact that’ because I know how to use it.

I’m unsure on the correct use of the preposition followed by ‘a noun phrase’ and ‘a gerund’. Hence, the below sentences (a) and (b). (a) sounds a bit strange due to the repetition of 'her'. Are both sentences wrong?

Cecilia has lost her sight in a ghastly boating accident. Cecilia does not dwell in self-pity.

(a) In spite of her losing her sight in a ghastly boating accident, Cecilia does not dwell in self-pity.

(b) In spite of having lost her sight in a ghastly boating accident, Cecilia does not dwell in self-pity.

Thank you for teaching me! :-D

 

[bhaisahab]

(a) would be OK without the first "her".
(b) is OK.
I don't much like "dwell in self pity". Can you think of another way to express the idea?

 

[Oceanlike]

I was attempting an exercise, hence was not the one who had set the question using "dwell in self pity"

 

[Oceanlike]

Is 'having lost' considered a gerund? If not, what is the grammar term for 'having lost'?


- In spite of having lost her sight in a ghastly boating accident, Cecilia does not dwell in self-pity.

 

[Rover_KE]

I was attempting an exercise, hence was not the one who had set the question using "dwell in self pity".

The usual expression is 'wallow in self-pity'. (Click)