It's Not Cancer or AIDS

There are worse things that can happen...

I received a response to my "What's the Worst That Can Happen" blog last week that I wanted to share. Sravanthi is one of my mentees at work, and she wrote to me about her own experience. I share it with you here verbatim (with her permission).

Stephanie,

After reading your blog, I wanted to share this with you. I had similar feeling, but with my personal life. I wrote this a year ago when a friend asked me about a personal achievement that I learnt a lot from. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did!

My personal achievement that transformed me into a stronger individual

I attended the most prestigious institute in India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), where less than one percent of applicants enroll. However, I have congenital scoliosis, and a few days after I joined IIT, I was strongly advised to be treated surgically for this disability. I was bedridden for two months. I felt that was the end of my glorious student life. I was in midst of very tough competition and strong academic demands, and lost time due to health problems. Psychologically and physically I was very drained and unmotivated. But I did not want to give up that easily; I believed that, victories worth having are those that come as a result of hard fighting. My goal was clear, to get back to the top. I was not an easy journey for me, to get back to the top one percent of my class after a couple of semesters of non-A grades. It was a long stressful journey to prove myself, but I did it. Ultimately, I got into Purdue University with full scholarship for my graduate studies.

Unfortunately, my struggle did not end there. I had another incident few years later after I started working; it was a morning just like any other day to go to work. I was getting ready and suddenly I could not move at all. I realized that I had sprained my back and it was not normal and found out that irregular wear and tear has damaged my lower spine. Since then, I was in ACUTE PAIN for weeks. I tried everything from medication to rest to physical therapy. Yet, nothing helped to relieve my pain. I loathed my life and my situation. There was no difference between a weekday and a weekend, I was alone and MISERABLE.

I remember calling my parents and just sobbing all the time. One fine day... my father mentioned, “Its not cancer or AIDS and you are alive, learn to deal with it”. That statement COMPLETELY changed my attitude and put things in perspective for me. The business of living is the celebration of living alive. I should be happy about the fact that I am alive and am not going to die.

From then, I took a vow that I will strive for a pain free day, no matter how long it might take. I read books on back pain, changed my lifestyle, started yoga and learnt pain control techniques. I learnt not to panic but to conquer. It took me five months before I could experience my first pain free day. BUT I DID IT.... Today I can proudly say that it was my attitude and determination that brought me out of my misery. I have a son who is my proudest achievement :). I narrate my story to people who complain about back pain, hoping that it will inspire them to take charge and change their lives as I did. Every pain free day is a gift to me and I treasure it. This incident taught me that attitude is very important in life. My determination coupled with my perseverant attitude changed my life dramatically.

[The above was the "what's the worst that could happen with back pain?" thought for me]

I realized that lack of awareness of health was the reason that I was prone to illness. I was determined to figure out a way to educate people (especially Indian women) and make a difference in their lives. It was at the same time I came across “Literacy Project in India (ILP)” DC chapter with a mission to educate Indians. I volunteered to design a project for women to create awareness about the importance of health. This project provided facilities for women to exercise and teach them about health problems such as back pain and steps to prevent them. It also created awareness of “scoliosis in kids". This education made them aware of potential problems and in turn helped them take care of their families. The sense of personal satisfaction for me is indescribable.

Sravanthi

Thank you SO much Sravanthi for sharing this with me! It IS an important reminder to remember that no matter how bad you have it, someone else has it worse off, and you should be thankful for the blessings in your own life. If anyone else has another personal experience on this vein, I'd love to hear your story too!

Cheers and all my best to you!
~Brooxi

"I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

- Old Persian Proverb

© Stephanie Brooks 2008