Hi everyone. I wanted to write a quick post to update on how things are here. We have had several huge changes this month! First, my business EmBraced In Comfort moved out of the house and into a separate facility. We had officially grown out of our space a long time ago, so we are very happy to have this new place.
Additionally, my daughter FINALLY reached the 6 month post-surgery point and officially has the green light for any activity she desires – just in time for summer! She can now swim, bike ride, weight lift, play basketball – anything she desires. We are still having a lot of muscle tension in her left shoulder/neck area and that side juts up quite a bit. I guess the physics makes sense – her whole spine was pushed way over to that side and those muscles are reacting to being squished for the first time ever. I try to massage her a bit every night, but sometimes we just don’t have the time and she never complains. And, her ribs are permanently deformed as a result of being so crooked for so long- so the left ribs jut up oddly as well (exacerbating the left shoulder issue). We took a family bike ride to the next town for ice cream the other day (just 5 miles through the corn and soy fields) and I was riding behind her bike. I just kept staring at her back. She is not straight – not even close. And, she never will be. I sometimes get teary eyed thinking of it…after ALL we have been through, she will still never be straight! But, she is ok with it – she is ok with her scar that runs down her back (she says she “earned it”) and she recognizes that she will never be straight but is WAY straighter than she was. But, it makes me sad nontheless. She’s only 12 and I have no idea how this will continue to creep up and effect her quality of life. But, all I can do is sigh and realize that God creates all of us perfectly imperfect. My daughter’s spine is not perfect and never will be – but she’s perfect nonetheless – created that way for a reason and a purpose. She has actually influenced more people in her short life than some of us have in nice long lives. She just doesn’t realize the full impact yet. But, she doesn’t wear her condition like a martyr. She is extremely hard working, positive, and ambitious – full of dreams and excitement about the future.
Which brings me to the last bit of crazy – she started her OWN business this summer (to dip her toes into the working world). It’s called Sweet Success, and she makes cake pops and cupcakes. We have a facebook page for her at: Sweet Success Cake Pops. I am on her staff, as business consultant and marketing manager. So, while her Mother’s life may revolve around Scoliosis, my daughter’s life does not – it doesn’t stop her, limit her, depress her. She is proud of how far she’s come, and I am, too. She inspires me. We may be crazy and in total chaos this month, but we are blessed. I love to keep hearing from you all, though, in comments and emails. Even though we have already walked a VERY long road in dealing with Scoliosis, we will never be done. Let’s keep walking the crazy road together…