Clothes

I hope this video helps you understand the challenges I had with choosing jerseys or shirts. The main problem was I didn't want my curvature to be visible.

Coping with scoliosis and its challenges became an issue which I accepted. As I grew older I started to become lackadaisical. I attended less and less of my swimming classes and my proper posture and bending faded.

Furthermore, after my surgery I specifically remembered the nurses giving my mother a sheet about healthy eating after surgery. However, this too faded.

Healthy eating will be discussed in my next blog.

Life after surgery part 2

In my last blog I stated challenges I encountered after my surgery. As I said previously name calling was the least of my issues. Some of my other challenges after surgery were I detested going to the beach or any pools. I was ashamed of the scar the surgery left on my back and I didn't want people to stare. Also, clothing became a huge issue for me. When I came back to Trinidad the fashion statement for men eventually changed and tighter clothing became prominent. This was an issue because my back’s curvature became visible when I wore some of those tight jerseys. It was very hard fitting in among my friends and classmates.

In addition, anyone who’s acquainted with me knows that I love cricket. However, a physiotherapist informed me that cricket is the worse sport I can possibly play. She recommended swimming as the best sport for my back. This made me very upset and depressed. I eventually started a therapeutic swimming class. This class contained older individuals who suffered from different conditions, so I felt somewhat comfortable .Also; no one ever stared or looked at me differently.

Another major concern for me was my school bag. Carrying text books to school was a problem. I often hold textbooks in my hand but my back was weak after surgery. Asking someone to help carry my text books was out of the question. During my time from forms four to five my text books were very important to the subjects I was studying. The swimming helped strength my back and it eventually made this a little less problematic.

 Finally one of my greatest challenges was depression. I wasn't happy with myself. I often ask God why me?  My closest friends during my secondary school life were my cousins but sadly my mother didn't want me socializing with them too often.  My school life wasn't as bad as it may have seemed but I never had anyone who understood me. Looking back I should have attended counselling but I believed I could have handled myself on my own. 

Don't forget to join the discussion on  my facebook group and feel free to comment. http://www.facebook.com/groups/155511667921915/

Life after surgery part1

After about two weeks of rehabilitation at the hospital my stay there came to an end. Leaving the hospital brought mixed feelings because I was glad to leave but somehow I wasn't ready to go. I couldn't come to terms that it was time to leave the hospital.  My mother and I left Erie Pennsylvania and headed for Huston Texas where my aunt lived. I stayed at my aunt’s home for approximately three weeks. It was extremely difficult living with my family. I often forgot my limitations. I often bent over incorrectly; I started to neglect my exercises and I often played basket ball but only shooting three throws. My Experience in America made me realize that we in Trinidad have a lot to be grateful for. Finally my Journey came to an end and it was time to head back to sweet T&T. I was tremendously happy but many unforeseen stumbling blocks came when I arrived home.

I arrived in Trinidad the second or third week in September. This meant I started school very late. I was in form two at this time. A letter was sent to my school explaining that I finished my surgery. In response the Principal of my school gave me a soft chair to sit on during all my classes and I was exempted from   practical Physical Education (PE) for the entire school year. My first day of school was very far from ordinary. I sat inside my classroom bombarded by questions from class mates and teachers. I was easily exhausted at the end of the day. However, my physical education teacher believed that my mother was over paranoid and I was still able to do some physical activities. I usually stayed out of conflicting questions concerning my back and let my mother handled teachers.

Many students got jealous and annoyed that I was getting special treatment. I often got extensions on home work assignments and if the entire class got punishment such as to stand outside in the sun I was exempted. Yes! My form two class was very mischievous. As school progressed many of my classmates weren't the same to me. They made fun of my situation. I remembered when my teacher asked me to do a simple task and one of my classmates  said miss you can’t let break back Headley do that. If you didn't know Headley is my last name. This annoyed me greatly. I guessed they were young and being immature. Form’s two to three were my worse days in school. Forms four to five were my better years but name calling was the least of my problems.

Rehabilitation

The fourth week after surgery Doctor Sanders visited me. This wasn't any ordinary visit. Doctor Sanders came with the intention to observe me as I walked for the first time after surgery. This was much harder than you may think. The titanium rods in my back made it very difficult to walk. My back was stiff and I felt a weight on my body I never felt before which made it extremely difficult to walk. I only took a few steps which were four or five slow steps. Ultimately, the nurses had me walking every day. At the beginning I didn't like walking because I walked like an old man one step today one step tomorrow. Walking down steps was very hard and painful but my mother was right by my side encouraging me all the way.  As days go by walking became less painful but I still had to take my time when walking.

I knew after surgery my life would never be the same. The nurses often reiterated this to me and my mother. I met with a physiotherapist who suggested simple exercises for me to build my strength. Some of my exercises would seem easy now but at that time  it was a bit challenging. Some of my exercises were doing push -ups against the wall and simple stretches. I initially, intended to illustrate my exercises via a video but I can’t remember all my exercise.

This video explains the limitations i would of experienced. He also looks at the importance of sufficient post surgery rehabilitation.