Eden's Personal Struggles and Journies with her Scoliosis

I wanted to take this month to share something personal about myself that I've often shared with my other classes over the years. The goal being, to inspire people to do things they didn't think they could do and to change negative thinking.

As age 13, I was diagnosed with a 'rare' case of congenital scoliosis (curvature of the spine) that gave me a 43 degree curve in my lumbar spine and a 30 degree curve in my neck. Created by a half formed vertebrae in both areas and thus the curves go in different directions. This spared me from looking deformed though you can see deviations in my hip, shoulders, and traps if you look closely. It took 4 1/2 inches off my height (okay...this still stings a little), stripped me of any contact sports/activities, caused me chronic back pain and I was told I was a 'walking time bomb' by the specialist. The fear being, due to my unstable spine, one bad fall on my back and I'd be paralyzed. I was told having children would give me permanent nerve damage and that I'd be in a wheel chair by 60 due to deterioration of my spine. I used a painful back brace for several years and felt sorry for myself for many years beyond that. Being athletic and all things being taken away as a teen, was a painful reality. The only sport I was allowed to participate in was Track and Field and ironically my condition compresses one of my lungs, so I don't have normal lung capacity. I thought it was a cruel joke then. Running and really any cardio exercise is a struggle for me to do this day but you'll see me doing it anyways. I refuse to be limited\

So the point to this story? I've chosen to go against my 'odds' and have had 3 children, with no nerve damage to date. I've chosen to take charge of my life and body and be as strong and athletic as my body will allow and it is with limitations. But these limitations don't control me or make me feel sad anymore. I see them as challenges, period. When people tell me, 'I can't', 'It's too hard', 'I hate my body', etc., I quickly challenge them to find what they are blessed with and to find it within themselves to believe beyond their own mental boundaries. I've surprised doctors with a back that hasn't changed a degree since I was 18. I'm told that's rare. I tell them, that's the power of exercise, Pilates and believing I can do what ever I set my mind to...may you find your own strength and power to believe in what ever your heart and body desires! We are often our own limitation. Decide today, to do better and be better.