One of the so-called professionals, who helped measure Son for this spinal jacket today (it’s like a brace/splint thing that he has to wear for three months), also told him the following:
- that the muscles around his spinal fusion would stop working;
- that he wouldn’t be able to go to the concert he has been hanging out for;
- that he should stop riding his motorbike permanently;
- that his spine was still twisted;
- that we would have an appointment with the surgeon in a month’s time;
- that he should stop doing anything strenuous;
- that he should never play any contact sport, even for fun;
- that his spine was still twisted;
- that he would have trouble with his back as he got older;
- that he would need physiotherapy forever;
- that he should ask the surgeon any further questions at the appointment;
- that his spine was still twisted
I arrived at the hospital just after this incident and, as soon as Son saw me, he began to cry. “I’m a freak,” he said and, lying on his back, the tears dripped into his pillow until I found a tissue, after which the pillow got soaked.
So, holding his hand, I decided to contradict every single thing that so-called professional said, and I told Son this:
- that the muscles around his spinal fusion would keep working;
- that he would be able to go to the concert he has been hanging out for;
- that he should keep riding his motorbike permanently;
- that his spine was untwisted;
- that we would ring the surgeon before a month’s time;
- that he should lift weights;
- that he should have fun;
- that his spine was untwisted;
- that he would never have trouble with his back as he got older;
- that he would need physiotherapy for a short time only;
- that he should ask the surgeon all of his questions at the appointment;
- that his spine was untwisted
When I find out who that twisted, so-called professional was (not easy in the whirlwind world of a hospital), I will politely ask her to shut up before she wreaks havoc on any other kids’ dreams.
jmgoyder 