Dear Diary,
I am very overwhelmed with these surgeries. Prior to undergoing numerous surgeries my physical appearance was different. Too different for anyone to accept me, as I experienced bullying for having a “hunched back.” To me at that time, having scoliosis was the worst thing. I wanted to look like everyone else, and feel confident about myself. I felt horrible taking pictures and seeing half my body lean to one side. Surgery was necessary, not only to fix my spine, but to reduce he pain, and help with my breathing. Dr. Michael Vitale told me that there was hope for me and my battle with a smaller lung. I was 13 when I was first operated on. The pain was severe, but the operation fixed my spine curve, and brought an end to the breathing difficulties I had. Despite having scoliosis, suffering from a smaller lung, and undergoing numerous surgeries, I never stopped being a student to my fullest extent.
Going back to school was rough. My teachers expected me to make up everything I missed. Being aggravated, stressed and hurting was not motivating me to do my school work. Even though I lacked the motivation and working under rough circumstances, I completed all of my work. To the contrary, disappointment always followed when I received my report card. I wish I didn't have to complete the workload post-surgery.
My current situation then never held me back from being a student, but it did, however, represent me in the wrong ways. My grades were not depicting the student I am. I missed many school days and it affected my studies heavily. But it never stopped me from working to my greatest potential. I worked long hours and strained myself even more than I was with my health, but still completed everything.
Today, my health condition has gotten better, and I have become more confident, as I made friends who accept me as I am. High school brought change to me, as my surgeries did. The friends I made motivated me and gave me that extra push I needed. With them, and my hard work, my grade point average raised, and motivated me even more.
One day I hope to be in the medicine field helping others, just like I was helped. Once I realized this, I realized that my health conditions, in a way, set that dream back. I am at a disadvantage because I couldn't represent myself in the way I wanted to, and I can’t repeat high school. I missed a lot of school and my grades dropped. However, despite this situation, I still managed to be at my full potential and do the best I can. That has led me to never fail a grade and pass all of my courses. I have learned to admire my motivation to do my best, the friends I made, and the doctor that changed my life.