Personal Narrative Essay: Spina Bifida
Personal Narrative Essay
During my final years of elementary school I began to notice that something was off. I realized that the adults around me, especially teachers, treated me differently than all the other children and students. It wasn’t until the start of middle school that I figured it all out. I remember sitting down with my Mother and chatting about the absurd topic. She appeared distraught and reluctant when I asked her why everyone I knew treated me like I was some fragile thin pane of glass.
She hesitantly explained how during her pregnancy I had developed a quite common birth defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is an increasingly common birth defect involving the spine and the lower back tissue. The condition happens when, during pregnancy, the unborn child’s spinal cord doesn’t fully develop and thus is unprotected or exposed through an opening in the back. Spina Bifida can cause serious problems and complications throughout an expecting mother’s pregnancy. The defect is also often dangerous for the child. It can cause lower extremities to not function properly or to become weak. It can even cause the spinal cord and tissue to become taught which will force the spine to grow at an awkward angle.
Then she explained how a team of physicians described my condition as “extremely severe” and “virtually …show more content…
I learned that I should never use my condition to get special privileges, nor should I use it to receive sympathy from others. I’ve also learned to try new things, even if said things seem impossible. After all, the doctors told me that walking and running would be impossible, and yet I deceived them. The doctors told my parents that I’d never be able to play sports, and yet I have the awards to prove I can. The doctors told me I would have challenges in life, but everyone has challenges. In the end it's what you make of those challenges that make you who you
During my final years of elementary school I began to notice that something was off. I realized that the adults around me, especially teachers, treated me differently than all the other children and students. It wasn’t until the start of middle school that I figured it all out. I remember sitting down with my Mother and chatting about the absurd topic. She appeared distraught and reluctant when I asked her why everyone I knew treated me like I was some fragile thin pane of glass.
She hesitantly explained how during her pregnancy I had developed a quite common birth defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is an increasingly common birth defect involving the spine and the lower back tissue. The condition happens when, during pregnancy, the unborn child’s spinal cord doesn’t fully develop and thus is unprotected or exposed through an opening in the back. Spina Bifida can cause serious problems and complications throughout an expecting mother’s pregnancy. The defect is also often dangerous for the child. It can cause lower extremities to not function properly or to become weak. It can even cause the spinal cord and tissue to become taught which will force the spine to grow at an awkward angle.
Then she explained how a team of physicians described my condition as “extremely severe” and “virtually …show more content…
I learned that I should never use my condition to get special privileges, nor should I use it to receive sympathy from others. I’ve also learned to try new things, even if said things seem impossible. After all, the doctors told me that walking and running would be impossible, and yet I deceived them. The doctors told my parents that I’d never be able to play sports, and yet I have the awards to prove I can. The doctors told me I would have challenges in life, but everyone has challenges. In the end it's what you make of those challenges that make you who you