This is the condensed version, written primarily by my mom, (because I can't remember all this) - but I'm changing some words. Trust me, you don't want the full version!!!
Why am I telling you this? Not because I want sympathy, that's the LAST thing I want. I'm telling you this because my life history is exactly why I am who I am. I couldn't tell you about myself without telling you this. *deep breath* - here we go...
I was born 3 months early weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds 13 ounces and spent the first 2 months of my life in intensive care. I was released and then put back in the hospital for another month after just 2 days at home. After that I went home again and had to return to the hospital after only 3 days. I continued this lifestyle for the first 1 and a half years.
When I was 8 months old, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (which is brain damage that resulted in the lack of oxygen during and at the time of birth). Later, at 18 months, I was diagnosed with severe gastro-esophageal reflux, and underwent surgery to reconstruct my stomach.
I lived in the Cleveland Clinic for 4 and a half months, and during that time was critically ill. During that hospitalization, a feeding tube was inserted directly into my stomach, as I could not swallow anything. I was tube fed for 10 years, but after teaching myself to swallow, the tube was removed and I now eat *normally*.
At this point in time, I also underwent numerous other surgeries, including 2 surgeries on both legs to help me stand -- with the hope of later being able to walk. I was also fitted for braces on both legs and could not walk at all until the age of 4. The fact that I can walk is directly related to the massive amounts of physical therapy I've recieved my entire life, and will continue to recieve forever more.
A few years later, the first stomach surgery came undone and had to be repeated. This wasn’t the end, though. This surgery was followed much later by a third stomach operation during my 10th grade year. The stomach problems aren't solved, and I have to take medication for it...
My junior year, I had knee surgery, after going through around 9 months of severe pain, and several new braces that did little or nothing to help. I use a wheelchair sometimes (primarily at school) and walk with crutches. I can walk unaided, but, its getting rougher given the fact that my knees are back to being retarded...
