After talking to my physical therapist today, I realized something. It's something I want to share, but would be a tad too long for an update. That's why I'm writing this note.
Most of you know that I have Cerebral Palsy. It occurs when there is lack of oxygen to the brain, usually at the time of birth. It affects the side of the brain that controls muscles, fine motor skills and speech. The left side of my body is affected.
At 3 1/2, I had 8 procedures done at once. That included releasing my hamstrings and surgery on my left hand. From 2nd to 4th grade, I walked with a walker. The summer before 5th grade, I had more surgery. The doctor made arches in my feet and performed a procedure that was supposed to correct my walk. The idea was for me to graduate from a walker to crutches, cane and then eventually walk on my own. I was in casts for 7 weeks.
Then my life changed forever.
I started 5th grade in a wheelchair since I was just 3 weeks removed from having my casts taken off. I returned to therapy (which was provided in South Florida schools). The therapist asked me to get on the exercise mat. I told her my feet were still sore. She said she'd help me. She was pregnant, eating and gave me her elbow.
I stood up, she moved, I lost my balance, fell and broke both of my legs. That was exactly 2 months after my operation. I never got proper rehab therapy and was terrified of therapists.
I worked very hard in PE my senior year in high school so I could walk for graduation. It was one of my proudest moments.
I did walk some in college, but then my mother became ill. The more she depended on me, the more I depended on my wheelchair.
Fast forward to now. 25 years later, after months of hard work, I am just now getting back to where I was physically at 10 years old.
It's been a long journey and it's not even close to being done. My therapist told me Tuesday that he definitely thinks I'll be able to walk with crutches in the future.
I plan on proving him right.
