"I now am proud of my scar and my story..."
Stickler syndrome affects 1 out of every 7,500 people and one of those people is Danielle Ripley. "Stickler syndrome is a group of hereditary conditions characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, eye abnormalities, hearing loss, and joint problems." At the young age of fourteen, Danielle was diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome Type Two. Danielle woke up one morning, unable to get out of bed. The cartilage between her ball and socket hip joint had disintegrated. This caused her hip joint to fuse together, causing her to lose her ability to walk.
Danielle's mother took her to the ER where they gave her crutches. She was on crutches for nine months as they saw doctor after doctor until they were referred to go to a children's orthopedic specialist. Danielle was told at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas, Texas that she would need to come home to New Mexico to receive a complete hip replacement at age fourteen. Danielle became the youngest person in the state of New Mexico to receive a full hip replacement.
"I now have a big scar on my right butt cheek/upper thigh area from the surgery. I used to be really insecure about it, especially when I would wear a swimsuit...people would stare or ask how I got the scar. Now, I have learned to love my scar...it reminds me of the pain, tears, and recovery I went through to be able to walk."
After experiencing a full hip replacement at such a young age, Danielle was inspired to pursue a job in nursing. Now at the age of twenty two, she is working towards becoming a nurse in the program she was accepted into this last June!
Danielle says "I now am proud of my scar and my story...I have the opportunity to help young adults who have similar issues to mine."
"Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could be become a page in someone else's survival guide."- Morgan Harper Nichols
I want to thank Danielle for sharing her story with me and with you all! (and for letting me paint you!) It's so beautiful that something as hard as not being able to walk for nine months...as hard as being the youngest person in your state to get a full hip replacement...as hard as having a scar that caused insecurities ...and as hard as overcoming all of that, has allowed Danielle to be the beautiful person she is today. How special is it that something that was once a scary and broken situation, has now allowed and taught Danielle about her love for nursing. How cool is it that not walking for nine months and getting a killer scar to prove it, now allows Danielle to be a light and a voice for others struggling in situations like hers?!? Danielle, you're the coolest! I love you and your scar and who it has made you today!
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If you want to be featured on the blog, please please please shoot me a message on the contact page! I'd love to hear from you and be able to share your story!!
xoxo- Caleigh