Pain Doesn'T Determine Who You Are

When I was a little girl, I went through the most traumatic experience of my life. I was diagnosed with a deadly infection in my femur bone; Doctors had never seen a staph infection as bad as mine. My childhood was stripped from me. I had been given a new life. A life where being in and out of hospitals was normal. A life where being in pain was normal. My biggest fear should have been falling down and scraping my knee. But, instead my biggest fear was wondering if I was going to survive. I was in more pain than I could have ever imagined. Surgery after surgery, but nothing seemed to help. I was fighting a battle that no one understood. I never understood why this was happening to me. I was a kid and dealing with depression. I wondered if I was being punished; if I had done something to have made this happen to me. I wondered if I would pass school. I tried my hardest to fight through the pain and make it through school. I was determined not to be held back. It even came to the point, where I had to have a teacher come to the house and teach me. But, I was willing to anything to pass. I had a great team of doctors; and a team of not so great doctors. I had parents that loved me and never left my side. I was still a blessed kid with a great family. I've been to several doctors since then and they all me tell me the same. I'm going to deal with chronic pain for the rest of my life. There are some days where the depression eats at me. There some days where I can't even get out of bed, because my leg is hurting so bad. But, I made myself do it. I was determined to graduate on time. And I did graduate with my class. And even though I missed to many days to count, I was never held back. I graduated with my class, the class of 2016. I'm determined to share my story with others. I'm determined to prove to people; that you're more than the pain you go through. I'm determined to prove to people; that nothing can get in the way of your goals or dreams; unless YOU let it. Your pain doesn't determine who you are. Only YOU can determine who you are going to be.