Transverse Myelitis
Erica Wilson

The morning of February 23, 2010 started out as any other normal day. I awoke from my slumber and sluggishly made myself get half way decent for yet another day of learning at school. We had a test that day, so our physical education class was moved to the end of the day. I had felt fine that day and was ready to come home from yet another ordinary day of school.

At PE, I played basketball, my all-time favorite. Not to brag, but I felt like this was one of the best games I had ever played! My movements were swift as I made each basket count.  Everyone would soon forget about this game, but not me. During the excitement of the game, my right leg started to feel like it was cramping. I had never experienced a cramp in my leg before, but I figured that is what it must feel like. Still, I assumed my position and continued with the exhilarating game.

Not long after the game ended, I went outside of the school waiting for my mom to pick me up and take me to my Meme's house, to eat, share laughs, and smiles like we always did. Today was different.  My legs felt horrible, so I sat down. Luckily my mom made it soon, and I staggered to her car. The pain was excruciating.  The best way to describe it is that it felt like someone was taking their hands and squeezing my inside muscles as tight as they could. Even today, remembering the feeling makes my whole body shiver. My mom reached over in the car and massaged my right calf, the one that was hurting.  Immediately, the pain made its way to my toes and on over to my left leg as well. Not knowing what was wrong; my mom stopped by my Meme's house and tried to get me out of the car.  She then quickly decided to take me to the local emergency department.

The short ride to the hospital was the longest 15 minute ride of my life. When we arrived, my mom asked me to get out of the car.  By this time I was paralyzed.  This all happened in a total of 30 minutes. She went and got a wheelchair and had someone pick me up into the chair.  My legs would not move and they dragged on the ground as I was pushed into the dreary hospital. They did a CT scan and said I had a bulging disk.   They transferred me to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama where I underwent a 4 hour MRI and spinal tap.  This couldn't be happening to me. My life was ordinary; the same every day, for goodness sake. I had my friend's birthday party to attend that weekend! 

I finally received the diagnosis of transverse myelitis the next morning.  I just wanted to have surgery or something; I wanted to get better for dance class the next night.  I had gone to dance classes for eight years, never missing a day of attendance. 

My disorder is incurable.  Incurable.  No party, dance class or what most people classify as a normal life. I underwent some great treatment and also went through physical and occupational therapy.  Those hadn't been my plans for that five week period. I was released and finally sent home. 

Just like that, I was paralyzed from a disorder that I had never heard of.  Today, I still hold my head high and work hard with therapy and staying positive, because that is all you can do.  I believe that I will get better.  I was never told that, but I am sure I will persevere.  I am the girl at school in the wheelchair; sometimes I walk with crutches.  I will show them all; I won't let transverse myelitis beat me.

I am Erica Wilson, age 13; yes, a very stubborn young lady, and I have transverse myelitis.

The Wounded Butterfly
By: Erica Wilson

Sometimes when I'm alone, I compare my life
To one like a wounded butterfly.
As I watch everyone else prosper and fly,
I sit and watch them go by.
Why do I observe you may ask?
Because flying for me would be a difficult task.
My wings are paralyzed, the reason I may never know,
But I guess this is just how life goes.
Will my wings ever repair?
Will I ever spread them like I used to in the air?
Life is such a delicate flower that's nectar is
Given to us every day we breathe,
Even so, sometime life is not fair and
We don't get what we think we need.
As a small butterfly, in this huge garden surrounding me,
I don't think anyone notices my invisibility.
Although my wings are dead weight, I do recall,
How the trees in my life used to change from spring to fall.
Now I sit quietly in the darkness alone,
No one ever drops by this butterfly's home.
As I hold on to my last ray of light,
I hope to get back to my normal flying life.
Now the colors fade away;
From neon and bright … to blacks and grey.
I will never forget when my wings used to work, the wonderful days.
That is the past and this is the present,
So why do I still feel so hesitant?
Now feels so unreal, as the others play in the wind
I watch only hoping to do that once again.
Life goes on, so I will work hard for my wings
Because in life you are not just handed things.
One day I know I will fly,
Whether it is now or after I die.
I cherish life day by day
As the nectar slowly fades away.
My life will be the best I make it to be
Whether I am flying, walking or even crawling.
This isn't the end, no not yet.
These are just times giving me memories I shall never forget.
I thank the heavens for my every breath
Because some people face worse hardships.
I, as the wounded butterfly, am telling you now
To live your life so you never regret or wonder how.
After all I have been through, not just as a butterfly,
But as me I am still alive and breathing.
 Even though I can't walk normally,
I can still get mad, laugh, and talk you see.
I feel so blessed every day I awake
This butterfly's hopes to fly will never brake.
Life is like a butterfly, floating delicately,
That has many difficulties you can get through if
You are like me and believe.