"Thankful" - My Break-Up with Pain

 I AM THANKFUL - I AM CHANGED – I AM INSPIRED –

I AM A SCOLIOSIS WARRIOR!

 

 

I AM one of many with an alphabetic character embedded into their spine (C or S --- mine is a C), one who rolls out of bed before the crack of dawn each morning to put on her armor (aka - torso trainer) and fight, and one who has felt and dealt with the physical and emotional pain of this condition for years and is standing up to say, “I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore!” 

 

(Picture: My torso trainer, SLA, and head weights - I do this twice a day, 20 minutes each time)

Make no mistake, I haven’t always had this gumption.  In fact for years I was a hopeless and (at times) emotional wreck.  I had a long standing relationship with Pain that I just couldn't end until this year.  Now it's FINALLY over - kicked to the curb, dead and buried…  This Thanksgiving I have even MORE to be grateful for; my family, friends, a delicious dinner, a roof over my head, and a great job are all at the top of the list, but THIS YEAR I’m also thankful for something else: MY recent break-up --- with Pain!

 

(Picture: I had pain surrounding my entire right shoulder blade and frequent soreness in my shoulders.)

 

I was diagnosed at age 12, but didn't meet Mr. Pain until my early 20’s. Hanging out with him was always a negative experience.  I often tried to break things off, but he wouldn't go away! I have plenty of journal entries dedicated to this horrible, rotten, "no good for me" piece of scum!  He often hurt me, caused me to feel terrible about myself, constantly reminded me of the hump protruding from my back, and dictated what I could and could not do! I HATED him, but I just couldn’t rid myself of him.  I wanted to, but I needed HELP to do it.

    (Picture: One of my journal entries)

After years of allowing Pain to control me, limit me, and hurt me –I found a doctor to help me end the abuse.  It took several months of treatment and therapy (home exercises), but I was able to end this awful relationship and move on.  I don’t ever want Pain back in my life again! 

(Picture: Going in for my scoliosis treatment - Dr. Nick Weddle) 

*Thankful.  Yes, THANKFUL I AM. *

 

 

***Stay tuned - I'm making a new video about my treatment soon.  

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If you’re looking to end a relationship with Pain - here are a few tips that might help:

 

(Here is a video of my doctor talking about scoliosis and the treatment program I'm doing that eliminated my pain.)

 

Here is a great resource provided by ScoliSMART on How to Keep Your Back Healthy. 

 

Keep Your Back Healthy Infographic created by Treating Scoliosis (ScoliSMART)