tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-550123657512962413.post3278314467519113924..comments2023-05-07T06:46:42.359-04:00Comments on Beginning the Journey: RunningLisa Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875911980085704862noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-550123657512962413.post-17511868039717987622017-02-05T17:54:41.911-05:002017-02-05T17:54:41.911-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718056531225781207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-550123657512962413.post-64820678882504599692016-04-17T21:52:23.147-04:002016-04-17T21:52:23.147-04:00Hi Lisa, I just came across your blog. I was born ...Hi Lisa, I just came across your blog. I was born 65 years ago with FM on my right leg plus club feet on both legs. Casts solved the left foot problem. I had numerous leg lengthening surgeries from ages 2-11 or so. Ultimately I ended up with a 3.5" leg length difference with a much smaller foot (size 6 versus 10.5), no real calf muscle and an ankle so thin I can wrap my thumb and index finger around it. But, I was the middle of seven children and had parents who encouraged me to keep up with my five brothers and one sister. I played a ton of competitive sports (without a right shoe build up) with my only dumb move being trying to ski where I broke my ankle my first time going down the hill. Today I continue to play tennis and golf at a pretty high level. The key for me was my parents encouraging me to do whatever I wanted but telling me that the key for me to winning, not just competing, was to find ways to play smarter. I was never going to be the fastest or the strongest but if I "played smarter" I could win. That lesson carried me through sports, school and a very successful business career. And, for 38 years I've been married a a beautiful woman who saw past my disability and who still says "he had potential". <br /><br />My only advice with your beautiful daughter is to not baby her and to let her run free and push herself to be the best she can be. Please instill in her an "I can do this" attitude and that falling and even failing is just part of the process. <br /><br />This may sound strange, but deep down I believe that the success I have had in life owes a lot to my having had FM. With encouragement from my parents I learned to not just want to play sports with the other kids but to find ways to win. <br /><br />I'm very involved with, and frequently visit, a school in Tanzania for children born with severe physical disabilities, many similar to FM. These children were born into extreme poverty, living in mud huts with no access to medical care. Like me, your daughter is blessed to be born in a country and to parents who can provide the love and care to make a huge difference. While I certainly wish that I had never had FM I consider myself to be one of the luckiest guys around.Davidnoreply@blogger.com