I am writing in response to a letter that wench wrote last week. I, too, have back
problems, but I am not the same age. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with
scoliosis (the curvature of the spine). I was actually pretty happy because that
meant I got to wear a back brace.
When I finally got the back brace, though, I was simply mad. The
thing strangled me so I couldn't breathe. I even had to wear that thing
to bed. I found it stupid when I had to take it off for dance. Well, to make this
story a lot shorter, I had to go into surgery in August of '02. My back brace
wasn't working and, well, for 20 percent of scoliosis cases, back braces don't help like doctors have
thought.
My troubles with scoliosis really could have been prevented if
I didn't slouch as
much. The
effects are still with me today. Three scars (one along the back and two on my
side). I also have a list of things I can't do, like bending back too far and
gymnastics. In my surgery, I had two metal pole things stuck into my back.
Sometimes I think to
myself, "Why me?" but it makes me unique. I wouldn't have Whyville without my
surgery. Last year, I was doing nothing and my good friend also had the same
surgery as me -- she showed me around Whyville almost exactly a year ago.
Last
year, I wasn't even allowed to bend down and tie my shoes! My typing has improved
and now in school I can type papers much quicker than all my friends. Thanks Whyville, for reading this!
-SS152
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