Olivia

February 28, 2007

That is great that people see her for herself and not as a child with scoliosis.

I am so happy for her...I know it's been such a long road.

Noelle (12-2-01)

Ian (8-15-04)

Olivia

I wanted to share something that's been happening over the last year, that I

hadnt really figured out, until yesterday. As most of you know, Olivia has

been in casts, braces all of her life. Last year, she underwent her 1st

surgical procedure(veptr dual rods attached to her pelvic structure) because

she had come to the end of the road in casts and braces.

A month ago, Olivia told me that she did not like her teacher, because he

didnt pay attention to her! Well, this really upset me.....I didnt take

action, because I had to think about it for a while. The teacher seems like

a really good, caring, guy....There had to be something else going

on.....Well, I think I just figured it out.

Olivia is used to getting just a little more attention from people, due to

her very obvious casts and braces (w/ neck support)....Now, that she no

longer wears them, she doesnt stand out as much, and the attention she used

to recieve is less. She is just like the other kids...No one even notices

her scoliosis. I think I am so excited about this, because to everyone at

her school, she is Olivia... Not Olivia with scoliosis. This means a lot

to a 9 year old girl, who is growing up and wanting to fit in and be like

the rest.

Very young children with scoliosis, dont care what others think. They

usually take their cues from their parents, and how the parents feel about

it. Little ones can be taught to take pride in their casts and braces. I

look back on it, and that was the easy time. No questions, no feelings of

being left out, no worries about ~not~ looking exactly like the other kids,

sad because she cant keep up, etc.....I am 100% convinced that Olivia looks

so good, because she did wear casts for so long, and over the years they

improved her overall body shape. ( Remember, her curves were over 100).

Anyway, sorry about the ramble. I am just relieved that Olivia isnt starved

for attention. She is just used to getting a lot. Now, she is just one of

the kids. She can choose to work harder to get the attention, or

not....Just like any other kid.

One more thing that I have to share. Apparently, the teacher had a few

minutes of free time after lunch yesterday, and he decided to have a contest

to see who could hold their breath the longest. Guess who won?!! (out of 45

kids) Olivia!! Not bad for 76% lung function, heh? She won a pencil. This

makes me a true believer of the bi-pap breathing exersizes she has been

doing since age 2. I feel like we are very lucky, and I am very grateful

for my childs health. I know what Livs life could have been, and we are

nowhere near that place! Not today, anyway!

Thanks for listening.

HRH

March 3, 2007

Hi ,

Thank you for sharing this experience. It is wonderful to hear about Olivia.

Someday, if she doesn't already know, she will find out how her life, courage,

strength, story, and the tenacity of her mother, have helped so many people.

Team Olivia!!

Love,

Raegan 3, 16 mo.

Olivia

I wanted to share something that's been happening over the last year, that I

hadnt really figured out, until yesterday. As most of you know, Olivia has

been in casts, braces all of her life. Last year, she underwent her 1st

surgical procedure(veptr dual rods attached to her pelvic structure) because

she had come to the end of the road in casts and braces.

A month ago, Olivia told me that she did not like her teacher, because he

didnt pay attention to her! Well, this really upset me.....I didnt take

action, because I had to think about it for a while. The teacher seems like

a really good, caring, guy....There had to be something else going

on.....Well, I think I just figured it out.

Olivia is used to getting just a little more attention from people, due to

her very obvious casts and braces (w/ neck support).... Now, that she no