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Author: Melissa

Helping Hand ?>

Helping Hand

I can’t help but wonder how much of my self-consciousness would be decreased if my hand was different — if it was simply a smaller hand, not a deformed one.  I know that many with PS have five full digits that are a smaller version of their “good hand.”  I suspect that is a rather different experience than missing digits and having a hand that doesn’t look anything like a hand. These past three days my kids and I were…

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Helping Hand ?>

Helping Hand

I can’t help but wonder how much of my self-consciousness would be decreased if my hand was different — if it was simply a smaller hand, not a deformed one.  I know that many with PS have five full digits that are a smaller version of their “good hand.”  I suspect that is a rather different experience than missing digits and having a hand that doesn’t look anything like a hand. These past three days my kids and I were…

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Coming soon ?>

Coming soon

  The paperback copy of Overcomer: Rising Above the Challenges of Poland Syndrome is nearly complete. It will be available on Amazon.com in shortly.  Stay turned…

Coming soon ?>

Coming soon

  The paperback copy of Overcomer: Rising Above the Challenges of Poland Syndrome is nearly complete. It will be available on Amazon.com in shortly.  Stay turned…

Peek-A-Boo ?>

Peek-A-Boo

After a little getting lost time, I finally found the office.  It was an obscure building in tucked away at the end of a rocky driveway.  I walked inside to meet with the alumnus who would conduct the required interview for my application to Penn. Never much enjoying the process of meeting new people, and easily intimidated, I am tremendously nervous for this interview that could potential make-or-break my application. I sit down in the chair across from Dr. Schmidt. I…

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Peek-A-Boo ?>

Peek-A-Boo

After a little getting lost time, I finally found the office.  It was an obscure building in tucked away at the end of a rocky driveway.  I walked inside to meet with the alumnus who would conduct the required interview for my application to Penn. Never much enjoying the process of meeting new people, and easily intimidated, I am tremendously nervous for this interview that could potential make-or-break my application. I sit down in the chair across from Dr. Schmidt. I…

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Flashback to Former Days ?>

Flashback to Former Days

“I have your bathing suit” she said to me with a gleeful smile, awaiting my response. “What?  Your kidding, right?” “Nope, I’ve got one for you.” “Mommy, you have a bathing suit?” comes an excited little voice through the car window as she looks on to the conversation between me and Ms. J, a friend we stopped by to say hello to on our way home. “Ha, no, I don’t have a bathing suit.  I don’t swim,” I say in…

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Flashback to Former Days ?>

Flashback to Former Days

“I have your bathing suit” she said to me with a gleeful smile, awaiting my response. “What?  Your kidding, right?” “Nope, I’ve got one for you.” “Mommy, you have a bathing suit?” comes an excited little voice through the car window as she looks on to the conversation between me and Ms. J, a friend we stopped by to say hello to on our way home. “Ha, no, I don’t have a bathing suit.  I don’t swim,” I say in…

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Struggle is Universal ?>

Struggle is Universal

Growing up I often felt alone and isolated.  My struggles were so different, so unique.  I didn’t know anyone else with a hand like mine, so surely no one else could possibly understand. In hindsight, I think I would have felt equally alone even if I had 5 classmates with PS.  I would have still thought, “They don’t understand.  My struggles are different and unique.” The reality is that struggle is universal.  We ALL deal with it in different ways….

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Struggle is Universal ?>

Struggle is Universal

Growing up I often felt alone and isolated.  My struggles were so different, so unique.  I didn’t know anyone else with a hand like mine, so surely no one else could possibly understand. In hindsight, I think I would have felt equally alone even if I had 5 classmates with PS.  I would have still thought, “They don’t understand.  My struggles are different and unique.” The reality is that struggle is universal.  We ALL deal with it in different ways….

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