My Disability is Arthrogryposis
My name is Victoria and I am 20 years old. I was born with a disability called Arthrogryposis (AMC). This effects my joints and muscles. Every AMC case is different, so for me I cannot bend my knees and I have very stiff joints. I have an older sister with the same disability and the same exact conditions. It's really weird how this happened twice in my family.
Limb Lengthening Procedure for Arthrogryposis
A year ago, I had my 16th surgery. It was a limb lengthening procedure. For 11 years, I had to wear a 3 inch lift on my right shoe. (It weighed about 5 lbs- walking with it was so much harder). I didn't think that would ever happen due to a broken femur.
So flashback to a year ago when I finally had the surgery I had been waiting for. The doctors told me I would be at risk for having it. With not being able to bend my knees, having a limb lengthening "could" make my joints worse, but it didn't! It is such a blessing to be able to touch the ground with both feet. It makes you appreciate the littlest things. Thank you to technology for discovering new interventions in the health world! My limb lengthening surgery went so smoothly with the new PRECICE system. Instead of having an external fixator, mine was all internal. I had a magnet inside my bone that would connect to a device when placed on my leg to stretch the bone. We need to hear more about the good use in technology!
This has been the year of acceptance and self love
I've spent most of my life hiding who I am because I was ashamed of how I looked. I was afraid of accepting myself. I would hide my legs because I thought they looked ugly with all the scars. Scars are beautiful! Scars tells stories! I just wished my younger self knew that it is okay to stand out. Growing up was really hard. Not so many people would truly give me a chance. People are so quick to judge based off how you look. Get to know me, not my looks!
Thank you to the gym for helping me grow into who I am today. Never thought I'd ever say this, but the gym is my sanctuary. It tests my limits of what I am capable of doing. With having a disability I thought I couldn't do most things in a gym or to strengthen my stiff joints. I was wrong! I hope to one day start a workout program for people with disabilities and to open a gym that accommodates more for us special humans ! ❤️
2017 has been one of the best years. The year of acceptance and self love! The year of proving myself wrong! Disability or no disability, YOU are capable of doing anything! Don't let any limitations get in your way. Your only limit is you!
