Re: An introduction :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi , nice to meet you.excuse me if I am repeating what others have sed.

What about being a small animal vet?

Best regrades,

Deborah

From: <susanthesheep@...>

Subject: An introduction :-)

Date: Sunday, August 8, 2010, 8:14 PM

 

Hi All, I've been skulking in the background for a year or so now, but thought

it about time I introduce myself.

I'm 30 years old, with Type 2 CMT, symptoms since the age of 6, AFOs since the

age of 6, no muscle function below the knees since about the age of 8. I had

tendon transfers on both legs at age 7 and am currently recovering from a triple

arthrodesis/achilles tendon stretch (+ many other procedures) on my left foot

that i had in March, after having intense pain on one part of my foot due to

foot deformity.

I deal with CMT in my own way - by not letting it effect me, or at least have it

effect me as minimally as possible. It has had some pretty serious impacts on my

life - I had to withdraw from veterinary school after 2 years once I realized

that I just did not have the lower body strength to deal with the large animals.

A very hard decision, but now I put my energy into my new career path - project

manager - mentally as challenging, but less so physically!

I have a wonderful, loving husband, whom I moved from London to the USA to be

with. He is my rock, both emotionally and physically! Currently I'm not as

active as I'd like to be as I recover from the major ankle surgery, but I'm very

much looking forward to getting back to my usual 2 mile walk to and from the

metro here in Washington, DC and commuting to work on public transport again and

leaving my car in the garage!

One of the toughest things about having CMT, that I think many of you in this

group will agree with, is that no one knows what it is! Outwardly, I have no

physical symptoms as my orthotics enable me to walk normally (although people

are more aware of the problems that i have since my surgery), and I often get

those funny stares when I use the elevator to go just one floor, as stairs for

me are a real challenge. I take that all in good humor!

I'm fortunate to have an excellent medical support system - I have the best

orthopedic surgeon (if anyone in the DC area needs a recommendation please let

me know), an excellent orthotist who understands my needs, and and excellent PT

who helped rebuild what little muscle I have above my knee post-surgery!

It's nice to " meet " you all. Stay positive, and never forget to smile :-)