My full story (my life)

June 4, 2017 5:26pm CST
I was born with a birth defect and had multiple surgeries on my head, feet,and spine. I faced death from birth to now on multiple occasions. I was born with a birth defect called spina bifida. When I was born my spine was on the outside of my back instead of where it should have been. Both of my feet were turned inward. I also had fluid on my brain and had to have a shunt (tube) put in my head that runs down my body and drains the fluid off of my brain. I was never suppose to walk or talk or recognize anyone. They said I wouldn't live past the age of two. I am now 32 years old and I can walk and talk and obviously type as well. Life has been rough but I can honestly say it hasn't been all that bad, I have had some wonderful times in my life. I am blessed with a wonderful wife and our beautiful baby girl. My therapist who pushed me to walk and learn passed away at my age of cancer but I hope she is looking down on me with a smile because I wouldn't be where I am today without her. R.I.P. margo ( I was young so I don't remember her last name) My father was also a huge help in my life he never let me quit he pushed me hard and told me it was because he knew I could do a lot. Well I don't know about a lot but I am making it and I thank him for that. He also passed away recently of cancer R.I.P. dad. My father was the parent I was raised by. My "mother" or as I like to call her, egg donor left when I was a baby, There are plenty of details to that. She didn't just leave me, when her and my father divorced she told the judge that I was an embarrassment to her because I was in a wheelchair. The judge she told this to was also in a wheelchair (very bright huh?) Anyways I was also sexually molested by one of her boyfriends and still to this day have nightmares from it which is weird because I was a child. Nobody told me about that before the dreams started. I grew up went to school and loved grade school but of course the older people get the more mean they become. So I went through a few years being bullied for the way I walked, my bathroom problems etc. Some of the teachers would make it worse because they would call me into the hallway of the school making it obvious. I dropped out of school right before 9th grade. I didn't meet my "mother" again until I was sixteen and she walked up and told me she was my mother and I just gave my father a look like, "were you on drugs?" lol I know that's not nice but hey I was sixteen and this woman whom I didn't know walked up claiming to be my mother. Me and her have a half social relationship now but we will never have a mother son relationship. She spends most of her time locked up anyway so I guess we couldn't if we wanted. As a teenager I started to become what they call an "outcast". I did things I am not proud of to try and be the "cool" kid. Smoking,drinking etc. I attempted suicide by cutting my arm which I now have scars from that remind me everyday how hard I worked to get where I am today., I was never the kid anybody wanted to be friends with. I am now 32 and I have a wonderful wife and together we have a beautiful baby girl. I still have my "hate the world" moments but at least now I feel like I have something worth living for. This is my full story and if I think of anything I left out I will edit and add. I hope this inspires people to never give up, never quit. Keep fighting, keep surviving and don't let anyone else bring you down. You are here for a reason.
10 people like this
7 responses
@marguicha (214293)
• Chile
4 Jun 17
Lovely story! I know a lady who had a daughter with spina bifida. The girl reached womanhood, studied at the university and got married. The only thing that she couldnĀ“t do was to be a mother. So her own mother, the lady I know, was a surrogate mother for her own grandchild. When I knew this, I could only cry. There are stories too beautiful to be true.
3 people like this
@marguicha (214293)
• Chile
5 Jun 17
@gimitchelray All of us have something or other. Noone is perfect. But the way we handle our problems could mean the difference between being happy or depressed.
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
That's wonderful.
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
@marguicha very true! I have days where I am severely depressed and just not in the mood to do anything and then I have my good days. It comes and goes.
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Jun 17
I'm glad you surprised everyone and kept pushing through it all. That's inspiring! I think it's amazing that with all you have been through your still grateful and happy for the life you have. That's also inspiring. =)
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Jun 17
@gimitchelray That is wonderful. =)
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
@LovingMyBabies thank you!
4 Jun 17
Thank you! Yes I am very happy I have a beautiful daughter and wife that make life worth living.
2 people like this
• United States
4 Jun 17
You are the inspiration to humanity Gus. Proud to know of all you have accomplished too. So sorry for the loss of your Dad RIP. And your therapist..must have been so tough on you.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jun 17
@gimitchelray Yes its not easy but many give up so easy in life..you obviously have the drive! Oh yes, we have to be responsible to our family I get that. Why I am around too.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jun 17
@gimitchelray Wow you have had a great lot to deal with Gus. Sorry to know of your brother giving up and you so young. How old was he?
1 person likes this
4 Jun 17
Yes it was. But I'm learning that we have to just keep moving forward and not let things keep us down. Not that its easy because there have been times I wanted to give up but I keep going for my family. My daughter is my world and I know she needs her dad and I need her.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36266)
• Toccoa, Georgia
5 Jun 17
That is an awesome and inspiring story.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36266)
• Toccoa, Georgia
6 Jun 17
@gimitchelray I agree, good can come out of bad.
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
Thank you! I enjoy giving people hope and I hope that my story helps people see that they should never give up because something good can come out of a bad situation.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40183)
• United States
5 Jun 17
Your story is very inspiring. My 14 year old grandson was a preemie (2 1/2 pounds) and had a tethered cord which you may know is a very mild form of Spina Bifida. He had surgery when he was 4 to correct it and has had no other problems, praise God. I'm so glad you haven't let this define who you are. God bless you!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40183)
• United States
5 Jun 17
@gimitchelray I know God was looking out for him. We learned that if the tethered cord had not been discovered early, he could have had permanent damage to his bladder and problems walking. His mom saw a tiny dimple in his back which led to the discovery. He's a strong and healthy teenager now. So much to praise Jesus for.
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
I'm sorry to hear about your grandson. God bless you! And thank you!
1 person likes this
5 Jun 17
@1creekgirl Yes! I have told my story to people before and mentioned God being there for me and they said it wasn't God it was the doctors. I say no God sends doctors so it is God that was there for me.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99420)
• Canada
4 Jun 17
Wow what an amazing story. You are a true inspiration.
1 person likes this
4 Jun 17
Thank you!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99420)
• Canada
5 Jun 17
@gimitchelray you are welcome
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
4 Jun 17
wha am inspiration for us all you took impossible a nd made it possibles so we all cam draw inspiration from your story of your life God Bless
1 person likes this
4 Jun 17
Thank you! God bless!