Okay so its been a rough weekend and its only saturday.
On Thursday I woke up feeling really sick. My throat felt really sore and my chest hurt. Thank you who ever shared their cold with me (note the sarcasm). Anyway, I tried to stand up and I noticed that my legs felt like they weighed a million pounds and were really wobbly to stand on. I let it go thinking I was just really tired. I called into school and took it fairly easy for the day. Friday it got worse. I could stand on my legs at all. Any pressure on them sent pain through my body. My mom took me to the doctor who really didn't have any clue what it was. But said that she thought it had something to do with my CP. She put me on Lyrica and said to see if that helped. The other thought was that it could have been some of reaction to the flu shot mixed with my CP and medication. Not sure we will ever know the answer.
We need do x-rays and the one thing we did notice is that my hips are getting worse, it looks like bone is rubbing onto bone. So hip surgery maybe in my near future.
Anyway, here is where I need your opinion. My dream is to work with kids with special needs and I will never give up that dream. The problem is currently I am in school to be an Occupational Therapist Assistant. I really like it and I love the idea of helping kids in that way. The problem is I am not sure if my CP will allow me to do it. At this point it seems as things have been getting worse and doctors aren't really sure why. Can I really become an OTA or is it a dream that is way to far out of reach? How can I help a child if I am just as disabled as they are? Opinions please!
My other option I was thinking about was becoming a special education teacher...but its just thought at this point.
oh and my legs feel better today. I can stand on them, still a little wobbly but better.
Angela
You are my dearest friend and I just want what is good for you. I know how good you would be great as an OT but I also want you to be healthy. If this program is putting your health at risk it is time to change but I still think you would make such a great OT. I met an OTA at conference that was in a wheelchair and he was an incredible OTA and such an inspiration for the kids he worked with I know that you would be the same way. With that said I totally support you in whatever choice you make. You and I will never lose touch we have come too far and have become too close.
ReplyDeleteAngela,
ReplyDeleteI can give you a personal opinion, but you should also seek a professional opinion. I think your Dr. would be able to provide more insight on your capabilities (keeping in mind that it is just as I said, educational insight, I have also heard of so many people defying the odds no matter what the trained professionals learned in the text books) I think that if you are passionate about helping children with special needs, then you will make a great OTA despite your abilities. I like to think that Hailey can be anything she wants to be. I have to wonder if having C.P. yourseld coupled with the degree that you are striving for would give you the upperhand in this career as you will know first hand what the children are feeling. I say GO FOR IT! As you know life holds no guarantees, so if you try and later find out that this doesn't work for you, at least you will know that , and you will you gave it your all and you won't have any regrets.
i'm sorry your CP is progressing so quickly! could there be other reasons complicating your CP? Just a thought that came off the top of my head so it might be a stupid one.
ReplyDeleteof course there are LOTS of ways to help the special needs community. What about speech pathology? I can't imagine there's much physical requirement. Or tutoring programs? Special Olympics - there's lots of administrative jobs that still get you interacting with the athletes. Parapro in a resource classroom?
that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head. That said, my son's best OTA had CP. and the best orthotist that fitted him for his AFO's wears an orthotic. And my daughter's pdoc has sensory integration disorder. So there's a lot to be said for people working in these fields who have BTDT and can empathize with their patients.
go for broke. get in adaptive swim to build up your muscles and support your legs, back and hips better. (assuming you aren't already doing that) do what you want to do. Don't let CP rule you!
Angela, I think you are a person who has CP, BUT... CP doesn't have to have you. You're in charge. Do you what you WANT to do and that is where you will have the greatest success. If you struggle in that profession, even if it may cause difficulties from time to time, then that will be an opportunity for you to grow - AND it will be an opportunity for you to be an example to the children you are helping as well!
ReplyDeleteI don't mean this to sound like an easy answer or like I think your decision should be easy. Choosing a career path was one of the most difficult things I've had to do, and I didn't have the struggles you face. So you may change your mind about what you want to do, and that's okay. But don't let CP change your mind. Does that make sense? If you choose to not be a victim, then you will be victorious, no matter which road you choose.
You know that I believe in you! and think that you can do anything you put your mind to! Don't give...you can never give up!- yes i just passed on advice that someone we both know gave me...i think you can guess who! haha! But only you can make this decision, don't let anyone say that you can't. You have come this far so why stop now. Reach for the stars only...if its your dream then find a way to make it come true...be creative if you have too! I will always support you what ever YOU decide! Luv you!!! <3
ReplyDeleteI can't give you an educated answer because I don't understand enough..my thought is-Why not do both? I'm sorry you have been unwell..I hope you are feeling tons better by the time you read this comment. :)
ReplyDeleteA career as an occupational therapy will offer you a great number of benefits, rewards and other positive factors. From one person to the next, every individual may have a different reason for getting started down this path, or for why they love it as much as they do. Visit website for the details.
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