New Life

Tonight I went to probably the best fireside I have ever been to! I had been praying all day that I would be able to get something more than another "join institute"or "get married" fireside... My prayers were nothing short of answered! The first 2 speakers were the Presidents of Sigma Gamma Chi and Lambda Delta Sigma. After they spoke, a man named Steve Makita (I hope that's how you spell his name) spoke. He was amazing! He was born with Degenerative Neuro-Muscular Disease. He was in a wheel chair and unable to complete daily tasks without a lot of help from others. He spoke about his childhood and how hard things were... All of this made me feel extremely grateful for my own circumstances. He told us that when he was really young, his father sat him down and told him that he would never be able to walk. He told him that although he had a weak body, he had a strong mind! And, his mind could get him anywhere he wanted to go. At the time he was referring to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was in a wheel chair. It was very inspiring!
It also made me think back four years ago, when I was sitting in my doctor's office waiting for him to tell me that I was going to get better... But, that wasn't the news my doctor had. When he came in he told me a much different story. He told me that I wouldn't ever be able to run again. He told me that I wouldn't be able to participate in any sports... and that I was at a high risk for injury and that by the time I was 60 I would most likely be in a wheel chair. He said that I needed to limit my activities to low impact and needed to exercise extreme caution when doing anything that could potentially hurt me.... I remember at the time being completely crushed. I thought my life was over. I went from working out at least 20 hours a week to zero. It was awful.... It took me about 8 months to adjust and accept my new lifestyle. I held off for about a year and a half with occasional doctor visits, trying new therapies, and steroid injections. But, eventually I had to go back to the doctor, because I knew things were getting worse... The doctors in Utah couldn't do anything for me. So, I put it off a little longer. In September of 2009 I decided I couldn't wait any longer. My back was so bad that I couldn't even walk to class and I had to do something about it! I went to several different doctors. They all told me that I needed surgery... I had 2 options, a fusion or a disc replacement. Fusions are preferred, because they aren't a risky. But, if I had a disc replacement... I would be able to preserve my other torn discs for longer. I would have the opportunity to live a relatively normal life... I was blessed enough to have the disc replacement surgery approved by insurance and performed on November 17th.
I will never forget the day when I got to hear my doctor say "you are free to play!" And, "after 3 months you can do pretty much whatever you want!" That was one of the best days of my life and words that I never thought I would get to hear.
I am so grateful for what Science has done for our world. Without the right technology and skills, I would have never have had this opportunity. I am so excited to live my life now. Especially after tonight and the reminder it was to me... That even with disabilities, that I have endless possibilities! I am so grateful for my Savior and the Atonement. I'm grateful to know that I never was and never will be alone. It makes me happy knowing that I am loved. And, I hope that everyone else can come know these things as well.