A guest post by Vixel on how her scoliosis changed her for the better
I am a firm believer in clichés such as “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. I believe that we are the product of our experiences, both good and bad. Everything we go through, every choice we make, shapes us slightly, and helps us become who we are, which is why, after years of trying not to let Scoliosis define me, I realised that if I could somehow wish it away, I don’t think I would. (Scholiosis is a word used to describe abnormal side to side curves of the spine, for more information, access iscoliosis.com)
Vixel
I like the person I am today, and although I may at times hate the way I look, the pain, and the fact that sometimes I just can’t physically keep up with everyone else, I know that a lot of my best personality traits are a direct result of Scoliosis-related experiences.
I am fiercely independent.
After surgery as a child, people had to carry my bag for me at school, I had to go up to the I.T room before class with the teacher as the top stairs were rather precarious and while at first I felt like a bit of a princess (I was ten and terribly precocious), I soon grew tired of having to depend on other people for things.
Deep down I also had the impression from several older relatives that some members of the family really didn’t see much of a working future for me, I think they expected me to end up unable to support myself. I don’t blame them for this but it ignited in me a burning desire to be totally independent and self-sufficient, never having to rely on anyone. If I come across a problem, I like to tackle it myself, and will only ask for help if I’ve first tried to sort it out on my own. As such, I’ve developed a personality trait that allows me to deal with setbacks and work with them, rather than dwelling on them.
I value learning and intelligence.
I’m never going to be a model, an athlete, or anything else I have to meet strict physical criteria for.
I can’t do manual labour.
I’d find standing at a shop counter all day very difficult, so I’ve known from the start that in order to succeed, I’d have to use my brain.
When other kids were running around the playground at school, I was sitting on a tree stump reading. When recovering from surgery I took extra French classes instead of P.E. and I think that’s the main reason I did well at French at GCSE level. I love learning, and finding out about a new fascinating subject is my favourite pastime.
I can go into a shop, pick up an item of clothing and know just by looking whether or not it will fit me.
There’s a lot to be said for having a weird body shape, you really get to know about what looks good! I could never claim to be a fashion expert, but I’m very much an expert at shopping for me!
I’ve spent so many years trying not to be defined by Scoliosis; being paranoid that people won’t see past the medical condition and see that I’m no different from anyone else, that often I forget just how much it has shaped my character.
I’d be a completely different person had I never been diagnosed, and I’d never trade my personality, my great group of friends (some whom I’ve made through support forums, that include some of the most amazing people I know) and the knowledge I’ve gained for a “perfect” body.
Vixel is a blogger for Sparkle and Glitter, “ a blog-zine project that attempts to observe the sparkle and glitter that makes our daily lives shine a little brighter and helps make life a bit more interesting.”
[...] spoken briefly about the chip on my shoulder in my article for Little Flutters regarding my fears that relatives expected me to make very little of my life, and the [...]
Yay it’s up!
VIXEL!
Great feature.