> Hello Everyone,
>
> I just wanted to say I have been enlightened by the postings I have read. I
> was 9 when I was paralyzed. I have no idea where on my spinal cord, but I was
> totally paralyzed, completely numb, and had no ability to use my bowel or
> bladder from my waist down. I was in isolation, only my parents could come
> see me and only certain nurses where allowed in my room, besides ALL the
> doctors that wanted to come look. I felt like I was on an "isolated display".
> I was in the hospital for 6 weeks, had 7 spinal taps (luckily didn't feel one
> of them) I was finally allowed to go home, once I was diagnosed. Tranverse
> Myelitis was what the doctor told my Mom, also he told her I'd never walk
> again. My nerves would never function correctly to allow me to walk. I must
> say my pride would not let me use a wheelchair.... I was a dancer. So, I
> started dragging myself around the house using the army crawl with my arms
> only. My goal were the chocolate chip cookies my Mom made and would sparingly
> dole out (two a day, she didn't want me to get fat) I made it my mission to
> "seek and destroy" all the cookies! Well......to make a long story short, I
> realized when I pulled myself up with my arms to reach the cookies I could
> stand with my knees locked. As I got stronger I could walk (knees still
> locked, stiff legged) hanging on to everything, to keep my balance. I did all
> this when my parents weren't home and one day I decided to show them my
> accomplishment. I walked into the den when they were watching TV ........the
> look on their faces was one of total disbelief. After they regained their
> composure, my Mom rushed me to the doctors office..... I guess they couldn't
> believe their eyes.
> Well........I got to enroll back into school, that was one of my goals. I
> didn't want to go to special classes. My Dad set up my own phsysical therapy,
> he had me stetching and doing strenghthening exercises. I did very well
> growing up, always tried to keep a positive outlook.
> I have never had any pain medication, my bladder is doing great compared to
> what I have read here. I can hold it for awhile, but if held to long, I have
> an accident. I don't take anything for my bowel movements, they are about
> every other day or so. My legs are strong I can walk the whole day thru
> amuzement parks, I do now find it easier to walk holding onto
> something.........this has occured within the past couple of years. However, I
> do have difficulty walking downhill, uphill is easy. With me it is a
> conscience effort for every step I take, if I am nervous or upset I have
> trouble controlling my feet.
> I have never met another person with TM, so I will enjoy reading all the
> posts.
> Sincerely, Kris
Kris, what an incredibly wonderful story, 1959! Thank God you liked chocolate chip
cookies :-) Thank you for sharing - perseverance is a good friend.
My best to you, Deborah