Teja-Baddie On Wheels

My story isn’t long but it’s been a wild ride. I have a relatively normal life, except for the fact that i am disabled. I was born with Neurogenic Arthrogryposis. My mom was so excited to find out she was having a girl! She always said i was so wiggly and she knew i’d play sports or something. She never expected to get a virus that would change all of our lives. When my mom was about 6 months pregnant with me, she got Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease from a coworker who decided to go to work sick. Almost immediately, I stopped moving. Mom knew something was wrong.
She went to see her doctor and they didn’t quite know what to tell her.. As things progressed, i got bigger, but still no movement. Then i was born.
Broken left collarbone, both shoulders out of socket, multiple rib fractures, dislocated hips, and legs fractured in too many places. I didn’t do much but lay there. One thing my mom said is that, even though she knew i was hurting, i didn’t cry. She knew i was a fighter.
One of my first appointments when i was a baby, they told my mom i probably wouldn’t live past 10 years old. My parents were devastated but they didn’t lose hope. They watched their little girl grow and blossom, all the while in the back of their minds thinking that i’m a ticking clock..

Fast forward. I’m 24. I live in Alaska with my fiancé and my two dogs. I am a makeup artist & i love to sing. I used to teach special education but for health reasons, i had to resign. I have struggled often, but i have not given up. My life is a bit difficult but it’s my life and i’m going to keep living it.

Every day i get up and think about the things i have and i know i’m so blessed.

-Teja Dozark