How I Became DISABLED: The Many Stages | Leg Braces, Service Dog, Wheelchair || My Story *Emotional*

Why am I in a wheelchair? How did I become what you see now? This is the story of Ren from birth to present. There have been many versions of me throughout the years. Each of them is unique and has its own chapter in my storybook. I hope you stay to hear the ending!

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:47 My Birth (1997)
2:11 First Steps & First Symptoms
2:57 Tendon Transfers & Leg Orthotics
4:30 Ballet, Skiing, and Biking
6:54 The Impacts of Growing Taller
8:22 Deteriorating Mobility
8:53 Meeting Dr. Kaye - Neurosurgeon (2012)
9:28 Detethering of the Spine (2012)
10:00 Nightmare: Part I (Losing Ren)
11:09 A Spinal Fluid Leak & The Long Battle Ahead
12:48 Becoming a Cyborg: My Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt
13:50 The End of an Ordeal + Pranking my Neurosurgeon (2013)
15:22 Meeting my Service Dog, Boris (2013)
16:31 Nightmare: Part II (Advanced Deterioration)
17:42 Discovering the Truth (2015)
18:19 A Cyborg Addition: The Second Shunt
19:08 Spinal Fluid Pooling Beneath the Incisions
19:45 Embracing the Wheelchair (2015)
20:24 Saying Goodbye to Boris
21:19 Present Day Mobility (Can I Still Walk?) (2020)
21:58 Gratitude for my Younger Self + Reflections
22:24 Finding Ren

If you’re interested, join me over on Instagram: @FindingRen_
  / findingren_  

Disclaimer: Full paralysis is not a prerequisite for using a wheelchair. Many wheelchair users can stand and/or walk. I am not fully paralyzed and am able to stand and walk with assistance. Over the years, my neurological issues have progressively worsened, so using a wheelchair is the most optimal way for me to live my life to the fullest.

Music Credits:
Music by Juan Sánchez - Tolworth - https://thmatc.co/?l=249F407C
Music by Myuu - Collapse - https://thmatc.co/?l=3083CC90
Music by Pui Mun - In A Rainy Day, I Remember... - https://thmatc.co/?l=77F9B36A