About
As I'm sure you've guessed, or read, my name is Mike and I am 22 years old. I live in a suburb of North Dallas where I'm fortunate to own my own house close to my family and friends. I have a full-time job as an internet developer for an automation products company. I have been living in a wheelchair for 5 or so years now after a long and hard fought battle with Spina Bifida (I'm an L4 so I'm considerably lucky and grateful for what extra mobility I do have). After years of surgery after surgery and empty promises made by various doctors, I finally made the decision to begin using a wheelchair to save myself from further pain and/or injury.
One of the first doctors (www.drdaveysuh.com) I met in Texas suggested I use a chair while I was recovering from an ankle surgery because he knew that if I stayed on crutches I would not be nearly as safe or "gentle" with my newly refurbished ankle. It was a tough decision and one I really did not think would have such a huge impact on my life. I just thought I would use it for a few weeks and heal faster then ever and then go back to my normal hobbling around. I never expected to still be sitting after all these years. It turned out however to be the best decision I ever made in regards to my health. My parents would push me to use a walker or get back on crutches but I thought to myself why? They don't feel the pain that I do. They don't understand the agony of debating in your head if you want to go out today because I was not sure how far I would be "walking" around. Would there be a place to sit? Would the ground be level? Would there be any stairs? So I kept using the chair for me and no one else. Even the doctor who first wrote the script for the chair ragged me for awhile about getting out of the chair.
As kids growing up in the "system," I think we are all used to making a decision. Or was it we were trained too? Either way it was always a YES or NO kind of question wasn't it? Surgery or no surgery. Therapy or no therapy. Prosthesis or no prosthesis. I think we were used to hearing news which either meant we were getting out of the hospital (and sleeping in our own beds) or staying a litttttle bit longer. But no matter the decision, we always pushed ahead with a strong attitude and unwavering confidence. We trusted the doctors. Why wouldn't we? After 30 (plus or minus) surgeries I finally had enough. All those years spent in the system taught me a great deal about self-health. I feel much more confident making my own decisions based on reflections of past procedures, good or bad. I realize now that it really is my decision to make and no one else. I only regret a couple of my surgeries and the good ones far out weigh the few bad ones.
Ultimately most of my doctors wanted to help. Some of course wanted me to be their next subject in a test or star role in their latest medical journal submission. I've had a lot of bumps and bruises, infections, casts, scars, staples, stitches, allergic reactions, constipation, bleeding and those alike but I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm happy with my life because of where I've been and because of where I'm going.
Comments
Mike wrote on 07/15/07 8:22 PM
Thanks for taking a glance Cam. It is coming along, slowly but eh that's just my nature. I have thought about posting a few different of my outlandish stories but I think they lose their luster when you can't see me telling them. None the less, I've already had one old friend ask me "So what's the deal with the one nut story?". Thanks.
Brooke LaMere wrote on 03/29/08 8:12 PM
Are you the really hot guy who was at my wedding? I left my husband because I was so turned on by your sexy wheelchair...Keep up the good work Mikey
Stone wrote on 10/29/08 9:01 PM
Hey,I love your about me. I also really love the photo your a real comic lol!
I like reading your post they seem to like show me the "light" to another persons life an gives me an idea life after trama.
-Keeping it short want you to get back out there an blog here an post photos etc updates on your life would enjoy it.
-XxholycadencexX
P.S. Do you have a myspace/facebook etc ?
Wapi wrote on 04/05/09 10:37 AM
Enjoyed browsing through the site. Keep up the good work.I am from Uruguay and know bad English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "See the world famous zoo, sea world, the hotel del coronado, the coronado bridge spanish missions, and more."
Waiting for a reply 8-), Wapi.
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Cameron wrote on 07/09/07 10:54 AM
coming along nicely old chap...story idea: how i lost a nut...(every time i hear it i laugh so fucking hard)