Oi oi!

BrittanyYoungx
BrittanyYoungx Posts: 5
in Introduce Yourself
I'm strange, determined and probably one of the only ones on here with a disability. I have Spina Bifida, a mild form of it. I've had 5 operations and am 23-years-old. That's actually a very small amount for someone with SB. As a kid, I couldn't feel my right ankle though could walk with the assistance of an AFO. In the 9th grade, I had another routine operation on my spinal cord. However, the doc closed me up as soon as he opened due to a new (more confusing so will not go into it) diagnosis. After, the incision opened up. It took months and months, close to a year, for the wound to heal up. 12 cm long, 4cm wide and 7cm deep - I had no idea the spinal cord was that deep - you could see inside... No spine to see. At least that's what my mom, amazed nurses and med students, and doc say! I was in a wheelchair for the better part of 5 years. I'd given up long before the wheelchair came along. In 2005 I contemplated suicide and only backed down when the school had me Baker Acted. What the heck was my purpose? I was becoming weak, just like the docs said I would... I knew paralysis was on the way, it was surely just a matter of time. At my heaviest, I weighed somewhere around 245 pounds.

It was hard to get through those years. I think in 2010 or '11 the weakness in my legs started to go away... It wasn't until 2012 that I decided, screw it, let's do this! I pursued one of my passions which is soccer and started exercising to get a bit fit for the upcoming season. I coached 4 and 5-year-olds for two soccer seasons. It was fantastic. They loved me and though it was friendly, I am competitive, we only lost one game during my two-seasons with the club. It was then when I realized I loved being around young kids. I am a child at heart and love to play games and use my imagination. I created a great friendship with the mother of one of my boys on the team and I babysat her two kids all the time for her before her husband was recently shipped out to Guam. When I didn't get a team in the fall of 2013, I was devastated. So, I decided to volunteer at my old elementary school in a Kindergarten class (I cannot work due to the unpredictability of the pain from my birth defect). THEY LOVED ME TOO!

The teacher said that was what my purpose in life was. To help others and teach little kids. So, I'm going back in 7 days to see my old Kindergarten teacher out - she's retiring this year - and help her out like I did the other. I have so much fun now. The kids love me, look up to me and I love them too. Now? I weigh 182 pounds and am still working to get to a respectable weight in the hopes of prolonging my ability to walk. It is very painful every day to get out of bed, though not because of my weight. It's been a hell of a journey...

Replies

  • OfMiceAndMadeleine
    OfMiceAndMadeleine Posts: 3
    You can do this ^_^
  • paomiamifl
    paomiamifl Posts: 61 Member
    I was born with spina bifida too!
  • potluck965
    potluck965 Posts: 529 Member
    Don't think for a minute that you are "one of the only ones here with a disability".

    There are many folks with varying degrees of disability on this board looking for help and support.

    As you have found, you can't let your disability be an excuse. It matters, yes, but you can find a way to work around just about everything. It takes conviction and persistence, but a lot of people with disabilities already have an ability to put their problems aside and get on with life.

    Good luck in your journey. I know you will get where you want to be. :flowerforyou:
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    Congrats on the 63 pound loss!! You definitely are determined. I'm glad you have found your calling in working with children.

    You're quite a good writer. I understand you have to deal with unpredictable pain but is there any chance you could go on to college and enter the teaching profession? If not that, then something else. I seems you have many strengths, just from your presentation. Kudos to you for not being complacent!

    I would agree there are many here with various disabilities/conditions. I have a condition called Cervical Dystonia aka Spasmodic Torticollis. It limits me some days physically but I've managed to reach my goal weight. Keep at it! You'll feel so much better.

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