..I'm a 26 year old female who is far from perfect. I’m a girl who was born with a rare bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI for short), this isn’t why I say I’m far from perfect, though. You might be wondering what the heck that is? Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause. There are at least four recognized forms of the disorder, representing a range of severities. For example, a person may have just a few or as many as several hundred fractures in a lifetime. (This information comes straight from the OI website… www.oif.org) I often break down the name so that it's easier for people to remember what it means... Osteo means bone, genesis means from the beginning, Imperfecta means imperfect. So, my bones were imperfect from the beginning. Make sense? You can always visit the website if you want more of a medical explanation but I really don’t want to bore anyone with a bunch of medical stuff… I’m fortunate that I got one of the milder forms of OI; I actually have to fall hard or have a hard impact of some kind in order to break a bone. Because I have had over 50 broken bones in my 24 years of life so far, I'm unable to walk. I used to be able to walk but I didn't receive enough physical therapy and I had too many fractures to my legs that that is the reason I can no longer walk today. One cool thing about the disease is it makes my sclera (eye whites) a blue-ish grey color, at least I think it’s cool.
..Sadly, society sometimes views people who are in wheelchairs as retarded or incapable of taking care of themselves. I fall under neither one of those assumptions. I am perfectly capable of comprehending things and possibly understanding things better than most people. I'm also capable of taking care of myself; the only thing I might really need help with is reaching something that is too high up on a shelf.
So, you're probably wondering why I'm even bothering to mention something such as this. Well, it's because I have nothing to hide. I am who I am, and because of the wheelchair I think it makes me a better person today. Of course, I could be wrong about that. ;) I used to hide from people because of my disability, now days... I don't care if I stand out in the crowd; it's just a part of life.
What else about myself? I just recently graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in Business Administration. I have my major in Marketing and a minor in Management. I can say that it's great to finally see the end of that road. Now it's time to move on and take another path to the "grown up" world. I recently received a job offer up in the Kansas City area that I accepted which is why I moved back up here. I'm very happy up here and feel that it was a great decision.
..Let's see... I absolutely love life. I love just having a good time which doesn't mean I go out and party hard, I can have fun without all the drinking that some people do. That also doesn't mean that I don't drink at all, because I do enjoy an occasional drink or going out and having drinks with friends. I love to laugh and be goofy from time to time. I enjoy playing board games, super Nintendo (old school, I know), going bowling, going to the movies, going out to eat… and many other various activities.
Another thing that is important is that I'm a disciple of Christ. I have been a disciple since almost 6 years ago. My sister first introduced me to the Church of Christ when I was 9 years old but never came around and realized I needed God in my life until I was 19. It's not the easiest at times, but when it gets tough... I still haven't seemed to give up the fight. God is an important part of my life and deserves to be as he's given me so many things in my life. I will forever be in debt to him.
I’m very close to the part of my family that I know. I have a huge family, but I don't know all of my family members. I have 4 half sisters, and 7 half brothers. Last Thanksgiving I was reunited over the phone with a brother of mine that I haven't had contact with since I was 3 years old which was very exciting. I’m hoping to possibly meet him again in person this coming year… Sadly, my father is no longer alive but thankfully I still have my mom around.
I feel that I have a ton of friends in my life and I'm always welcoming new ones. If you've made your way into my life, then you've made your way into my heart and you'll always stay there, even if we lose contact with each other down the road. I value friendship a lot, some days I wonder if I value it too much, but is that really possible?
Well, I've probably rambled on enough about myself and who knows if you'll have read through it all or not. But, now you know a little more about me. :0)
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