Re: Group Project: Ideas for EDS Testing!? - Bernie/Rhea

[Guest guest]

Bernie and Rhea, I want to thank you for picking up on the need for

testing and awareness in children. I too went through torture as a

child, from doctors and schools as my condition was undiagnosed. I

did well at school in spite of my concentration levels and constant

pain, but I started having big problems with my legs while I was

the top middle distance runner for my school. Instead of helping me

with my problems though the greedy teachers were only interested in

the prestige of having the championship trophy and made me run a

cross country race with a dodgy knee - I won the race but was

hopping lame as I crossed the line and ended up having surgery three

days later - effectively ruining my athletics career. I know now

that was actually the start of the deformity induced problems I have

with my legs as I never really recovered from that initial injury,

just breaking down on every return attempt. And of course once they

realised I could no longer " perform " athletically for them, I was

dumped, given no support and actually outwardly bullied and

belittled by the school staff. In fact as my condition deteriorated

and I was forced to stay home, I was withheld school work while I

recovered then expected to sit my exams with half the course work

missing. When I failed by just 5% they made me re-sit the whole year

at a different school, where I had a rather unfortunate incident

with the head teacher (he tried to molest me in his office) and as a

result I walked away form my education there and then, on the verge

of an emotional breakdown aged just 16 years old. It hurts that

ignorance and a lack of understanding for my underlying condition

cost me my qualifications and a possible slot at University too, as

I was a straight A student when they began withdrawing support and

work.

The doctors weren't much better at the time either and I received no

support during this period - they were happy to go along with the

schools assumption that i was faking, school phobic or worst still

attention seeking because my mother had been ill most of my life!

They couldn't even entertain the idea that i was genuinely ill and

in heaps of pain and I was never believed no matter how much I tried

to tell them what was happening. Would you believe that my lack of

trust in being believed got so bad that I never actually told anyone

about the incident with the head teacher until earlier this year? I

still shudder at the torture I went through at the hands of teachers

and doctors who were totally unable to accept that a child's pain

was real even if there wasn't a normal explanation for it. And even

worse if the fact that early disbelief of my situation led to many

more years of battling to be believed - the mould had been set for

my recent doctors to follow and assume that i was just a

hypochondriac, all because as a child nobody took my pain seriously.

I guess it proves what they say though doesn't it - to assume makes

an ass of u and me.

Sorry this has turned into a real vent, I hadn't intended it too but

reading your comments hit a still very raw nerve with me. One thing

that my ordeals have done for me though, made me all the more

determined to prove myself and all the more proud of what i have

achieved in spite of being held back educationally. I know you're

not supposed to have pride, but I have to confess that I do feel it

knowing that i have succeeded in becoming a published writer in

spite of missing a fair chunk of my schooling - it's satisfying

knowing that the evil people I came up against along the way

couldn't crush me.

Thanks again for broaching the subject and here's hoping that

childhood testing and awareness improves immensely in future years.

Love and hugs....Jo

xxx

[Guest guest]

Jo, that was sinful of the educational staff, and they should have

to answer for their deeds! I am just at a loss for words at what

you endured.

Thank God you did not let them break your beautiful spirit! You

have MUCH to have pride in, Jo!

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much Lana, I was feeling a little guilty about " spilling "

all that to be honest!

Love and hugs....Jo

xx

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much Lana, I was feeling a little guilty about " spilling "

all that to be honest!

Love and hugs....Jo

xx

[Guest guest]

Jo, you need NEVER to feel guilty with family - and that's what we

are here - family who support each other and love each other despite

any faults we may have. AND, YOU were NOT, in any way, at fault for

the way you were treated by the educational system!

Love Lana

> Thanks so much Lana, I was feeling a little guilty

about " spilling "

> all that to be honest!

>

> Love and hugs....Jo

> xx

[Guest guest]

Jo, you need NEVER to feel guilty with family - and that's what we

are here - family who support each other and love each other despite

any faults we may have. AND, YOU were NOT, in any way, at fault for

the way you were treated by the educational system!

Love Lana

> Thanks so much Lana, I was feeling a little guilty

about " spilling "

> all that to be honest!

>

> Love and hugs....Jo

> xx

[Guest guest]

Jo:

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I know the deep hurt and scaring

this can leave. I am so sorry you had to go through this.

It is impressive that you have accomplished sooooo much.....more

Olympian endurance.

So glad to hear from you to-day.

Bernie

Re: Group Project: Ideas for EDS Testing!? - Bernie/Rhea

Bernie and Rhea, I want to thank you for picking up on the need for

testing and awareness in children. I too went through torture as a

child, from doctors and schools as my condition was undiagnosed. I

did well at school in spite of my concentration levels and constant

pain, but I started having big problems with my legs while I was

the top middle distance runner for my school. Instead of helping me

with my problems though the greedy teachers were only interested in

the prestige of having the championship trophy and made me run a

cross country race with a dodgy knee - I won the race but was

hopping lame as I crossed the line and ended up having surgery three

days later - effectively ruining my athletics career. I know now

that was actually the start of the deformity induced problems I have

with my legs as I never really recovered from that initial injury,

just breaking down on every return attempt. And of course once they

realised I could no longer " perform " athletically for them, I was

dumped, given no support and actually outwardly bullied and

belittled by the school staff. In fact as my condition deteriorated

and I was forced to stay home, I was withheld school work while I

recovered then expected to sit my exams with half the course work

missing. When I failed by just 5% they made me re-sit the whole year

at a different school, where I had a rather unfortunate incident

with the head teacher (he tried to molest me in his office) and as a

result I walked away form my education there and then, on the verge

of an emotional breakdown aged just 16 years old. It hurts that

ignorance and a lack of understanding for my underlying condition

cost me my qualifications and a possible slot at University too, as

I was a straight A student when they began withdrawing support and

work.

The doctors weren't much better at the time either and I received no

support during this period - they were happy to go along with the

schools assumption that i was faking, school phobic or worst still

attention seeking because my mother had been ill most of my life!

They couldn't even entertain the idea that i was genuinely ill and

in heaps of pain and I was never believed no matter how much I tried

to tell them what was happening. Would you believe that my lack of

trust in being believed got so bad that I never actually told anyone

about the incident with the head teacher until earlier this year? I

still shudder at the torture I went through at the hands of teachers

and doctors who were totally unable to accept that a child's pain

was real even if there wasn't a normal explanation for it. And even

worse if the fact that early disbelief of my situation led to many

more years of battling to be believed - the mould had been set for

my recent doctors to follow and assume that i was just a

hypochondriac, all because as a child nobody took my pain seriously.

I guess it proves what they say though doesn't it - to assume makes

an ass of u and me.

Sorry this has turned into a real vent, I hadn't intended it too but

reading your comments hit a still very raw nerve with me. One thing

that my ordeals have done for me though, made me all the more

determined to prove myself and all the more proud of what i have

achieved in spite of being held back educationally. I know you're

not supposed to have pride, but I have to confess that I do feel it

knowing that i have succeeded in becoming a published writer in

spite of missing a fair chunk of my schooling - it's satisfying

knowing that the evil people I came up against along the way

couldn't crush me.

Thanks again for broaching the subject and here's hoping that

childhood testing and awareness improves immensely in future years.

Love and hugs....Jo

xxx

To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ehlersdanlos.ca

[Guest guest]

Jo:

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I know the deep hurt and scaring

this can leave. I am so sorry you had to go through this.

It is impressive that you have accomplished sooooo much.....more

Olympian endurance.

So glad to hear from you to-day.

Bernie

Re: Group Project: Ideas for EDS Testing!? - Bernie/Rhea

Bernie and Rhea, I want to thank you for picking up on the need for

testing and awareness in children. I too went through torture as a

child, from doctors and schools as my condition was undiagnosed. I

did well at school in spite of my concentration levels and constant

pain, but I started having big problems with my legs while I was

the top middle distance runner for my school. Instead of helping me

with my problems though the greedy teachers were only interested in

the prestige of having the championship trophy and made me run a

cross country race with a dodgy knee - I won the race but was

hopping lame as I crossed the line and ended up having surgery three

days later - effectively ruining my athletics career. I know now

that was actually the start of the deformity induced problems I have

with my legs as I never really recovered from that initial injury,

just breaking down on every return attempt. And of course once they

realised I could no longer " perform " athletically for them, I was

dumped, given no support and actually outwardly bullied and

belittled by the school staff. In fact as my condition deteriorated

and I was forced to stay home, I was withheld school work while I

recovered then expected to sit my exams with half the course work

missing. When I failed by just 5% they made me re-sit the whole year

at a different school, where I had a rather unfortunate incident

with the head teacher (he tried to molest me in his office) and as a

result I walked away form my education there and then, on the verge

of an emotional breakdown aged just 16 years old. It hurts that

ignorance and a lack of understanding for my underlying condition

cost me my qualifications and a possible slot at University too, as

I was a straight A student when they began withdrawing support and

work.

The doctors weren't much better at the time either and I received no

support during this period - they were happy to go along with the

schools assumption that i was faking, school phobic or worst still

attention seeking because my mother had been ill most of my life!

They couldn't even entertain the idea that i was genuinely ill and

in heaps of pain and I was never believed no matter how much I tried

to tell them what was happening. Would you believe that my lack of

trust in being believed got so bad that I never actually told anyone

about the incident with the head teacher until earlier this year? I

still shudder at the torture I went through at the hands of teachers

and doctors who were totally unable to accept that a child's pain

was real even if there wasn't a normal explanation for it. And even

worse if the fact that early disbelief of my situation led to many

more years of battling to be believed - the mould had been set for

my recent doctors to follow and assume that i was just a

hypochondriac, all because as a child nobody took my pain seriously.

I guess it proves what they say though doesn't it - to assume makes

an ass of u and me.

Sorry this has turned into a real vent, I hadn't intended it too but

reading your comments hit a still very raw nerve with me. One thing

that my ordeals have done for me though, made me all the more

determined to prove myself and all the more proud of what i have

achieved in spite of being held back educationally. I know you're

not supposed to have pride, but I have to confess that I do feel it

knowing that i have succeeded in becoming a published writer in

spite of missing a fair chunk of my schooling - it's satisfying

knowing that the evil people I came up against along the way

couldn't crush me.

Thanks again for broaching the subject and here's hoping that

childhood testing and awareness improves immensely in future years.

Love and hugs....Jo

xxx

To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ehlersdanlos.ca