Blessings in Disguise
by Karree Holt ~ contracted polio at age 1
My name is Karree and my story begins in the year 1974 when I was born out of poverty in the Philippines. It always leaves me in wonder when I think of how little miracles happen and are still happening all around the world. One of those miracles was the day I was adopted into a beautiful family and began my life in Australia, worlds away from what my life could have been.
I contracted polio in my right leg whilst in the first year of residing in an orphanage in Manila. The disease left my leg extremely weak, my foot rolled onto its side and my hips were left crooked. But blessings do come in disguises and for me I was adopted at the very young age of two. Once in Australia, I started the long journey of many operations to correct my walking and posture. The specialist who looked after me flew himself to the Philippines to study Polio and the devastating affects it can have on people.
Today I am 38 years old and my life is richly blessed with my two little girls. I had to use a walking frame at the end of my pregnancies as the weight was too much for my hips to bear but I carried my babies safely and they are perfectly healthy. In my past I have always been quite fearless – I have hang-glided off cliffs, surfed, snow ski-ed, water ski-ed, driven quad bikes, played cricket, soccer, hockey. I’ve done it all and given it my best shot.
To me failure has never been an option and even now as I am getting older and I’m starting to experience some of the effects of post polio syndrome I will not allow failure to be an option in my life. I had a painful operation a couple of months ago to repair torn ligaments and a cyst the size of a golf ball but after being on crutches for a month I have managed to become mobile again. I treat my aches and pains with Panadol Oesteo and sometimes anti-inflammatory tablets. I also try to keep my weight balanced to help my back and hips, but mainly I listen to my body when it tells me to slow down and rest. So with the love and support of my family and friends I can say I am a polio survivor.
I hope my story may help and inspire people and I also thank all of you for your courage and strength – keep going forward always.
by Karree Holt ~ contracted polio at age 1
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