My Story-The Beginning-Part One

The Beginning

            On February 26, 1981 at 10:46 a.m. a healthy baby girl was born to parents Jim and Sheila.  That brand new baby girl was none other than me!  

                                             Barbara Bliss

            I had what most would call a normal childhood.  I learned to ride a bike and kept the roads of my neighborhood hot.  I played indoor and outdoor soccer, but was most definitely not the star player. My siblings and I swam on the neighborhood swim team for several years. 

            Towards the end of my middle school days, I stopped participating in sports.  It just wasn’t my thing. I was never fabulous at sports and I was completely okay with that.  I was more interested in reading, hanging out with my friends, listening to music, and making collages of stuff you cut out of magazines.  If you are a child of the early 90’s I know you remember those collages! 

            My high school days were just as normal as my childhood--school, dates and boyfriends, acquiring my driver’s license and my first car, new friends, and finally a job!  I was beginning to focus on my future and what I wanted it to hold.  Life after high school seemed so appealing.  After all I would be grown up then, right?  

            During my junior year at age 16, I noticed I was having difficulty climbing the steps for my 6^th period class.  I would have to hold on to the rail with one hand and support my thigh with the other hand.  Some days I felt like I had to pull myself up the stairs with the handrail. I just assumed I was out of shape and a little exercise would solve the problem.  So, I signed up to take a step aerobics class at school.

           The step aerobics class didn't solve the problems I was having, in fact, it brought them to the front and center of my life.  I was so weak that I couldn't even do the 'step' part of the step aerobics class.  I would just follow the workout routine without the step.  

           Walking a timed mile was a requirement of the step aerobics class.  When it took me over 12 minutes to walk my mile, my teacher pulled me aside.  He told me that he was concerned not only because it took me so long but because I was locking my knees in order to walk.  He suggested that I see an orthopedic doctor and have some x-rays done on my knees.  

            Little did I know then, but that was the beginning of a life altering journey.