Thirteen Years Ago
JSp3690010 (JSp3690010(AT)aol.com)
Fri, 3 Apr 1998 14:53:57 EST
My life changed forever in July of 1985. I was twelve years old. I had
experienced short and sharp back pain for two months which my doctor labelled
as growing pains. Then, early one Monday morning I had a back pain that was
uncomparable in intesity. I tried to stand to kink it out but all I could
feel was pins and needles in my legs. I fell to the floor. I felt a terrible
line of numbness start at my toes and proceed up my body. It stopped at my
waist, or the T-12 level. This all happened within a few minutes and I was
transformed from the majority to the minority. Initially, no one believed me.
My family, after a couple of hours, took me to the nearest emergency room
where the doctors there didn't believe me at first either. It took three
weeks to diagnose me. Apparently this usually happens to people between the
ages of 20 - 45. I was on a drug called Prednisone at the time. I had been
taking it for asthmatic allergy relief. I found out after I became ill, that
it lowers your immune system. I had also been swimming in a pond all that
same summer. It was tested after I became ill and found to have high levels
of E-coli bacteria. While doctors told my family that there was no real cause
or cure, I believe that there was something in the water. The doctors told us
that transversemyelitis is an animal virus. The pond was surrounded by three
fields, all with pesticide runoff. I do believe that I will see a cure in my
lifetime. Whereupon, I will kick everyone in the butt that I have ever wanted
to, ha, ha. Presently, at twenty-five years of age, I live a happy, healthy
and normal life as a paraplegic in a wheelchair. I work, have a home, two
cats, lots of friends, a caring and supportive family and this new computer!
Any illness that I have experienced in the past thirteen years can be directly
attributed to being paralyzed. Although, last summer, I was diagnosed with
hypothyroidism. Any connection? Doubt it. Probably just dumb luck.
Although, there were difficult times as a disabled teenager in a small farming
community, I have accepted my destiny. If one factor had been missing in my
story, it wouldn't have happened. I insist that it is better than flying
through a car window, as some other disabled people have in their accidents.
My advice is to always look forward. Looking behind you will only slow you
down and eventually make you stop. Feel free to contact me at
JSp3690010(AT)aol.com