Hi everyone!

JADE98FW(AT)aol.com
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 17:13:33 EST

Hi everyone! Since I'm new, some of you asked me to share my story. I was
diagnosed with TM at the age of 3. There were no warning signs-it happened
very quickly. I was in the livingroom with my sister who was 8 at the time.
I was sitting on our livingroom chair backwards with my feet up on the back of
the chair. I fell off the chair, not because I was goofing around, but
because I lost my balance due to TM. On the floor crying, I managed to stand
up. Limping, I walked with my sister out to the kitchen where my mom was.
Being only 3, I couldn't really describe what I was feeling. My mom had me
lay down, probably thinking that I just hurt myself from falling off the
chair-she knew I was goofing around on it. I fell asleep. When I woke up, I
couldn't move at all, and my mom said that my eyes looked glassy. She had our
neighbour rush us to the hospital. As she was holding me, I told her that I
couldn't see. I don't know what that was all about, because my vision is fine
and always has been. The doctors diagnosed me with TM, but then changed their
minds. Then they went back to TM. I think I was in the hospital for a month,
and I gained the use of my arms and hands again. But I can't walk at all-I
use an electric wheelchair. I didn't lose any feeling-I can feel everywhere.
The level of my injury is C7. The doctors aren't sure what caused TM in my
case. I am now 22, and doing quite well. We bought a new Ford Windstar last
August for me to drive using hand controls, and I just got a job in November
working in an insurance agency. I'm wondering if most of you had warning
signs of TM coming on? I really didn't. My mom said that I acted a little
strange the day before I got it. Normally a wild kid, I was very quiet. We
went sledding on the day before, and when my mom went to help me with my snow
suit, I complained a lot. She's wondering if I was starting to experience
some pain from TM then. The only pain I had was back pain. My dad said that
I would scream when the doctors and nurses would try to touch me. I have so
much more to say, but I'm running out of room!! I'll be in touch with all of
you soon. Thanks for being there. I'm glad I found you guys!