Baseball Oddities
Which of the following players didn't win a home run title with a total below 30?
A. Bill Nicholson
B. Nick Ettrn
C. Eddie Murray
D. Mike Schmidt
Answer: D.
Schmidt hit 31 homers in the strike-shortened season of 1981. Four American League players that year, including Eddie Murray, tied for the title with 22 homers. Cubs outfielder Bill Nicholson led the Senior Circuit with 29 in 1943. Yankees first baseman Nick Etten led with 22 in 1944.
Baseball Birthdays
Joe Mauer
Frank Viola
Friday, April 19, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
MY LIFE WITH BRITTLE BONES-110
A few things helped to bring me out of my shell. One was C.B. Radio, which was the craze back in the 70s. On the radio I could be a normal kid, make friends and explore the world around me- without ever leaving home.
It was fun and I made friends, which was the point. There was always someone to talk to, even in the middle of the night. I started going to radio-related parties and picnics. A whole new world was opening up for me.
A group of truck drivers found out about my situation, took up a collection, and bought my first radio. They hooked it up and installed the antenna on the roof. It was the truckers way of spreading good cheer , helping me reach out to the world.
My first handle was "China Boy," because of my fragile bones. CB'ers generally would pick a handle (or nickname)that would make light of themselves, so China Boy was mine. My second handle was "Smitty," taken from my last name. Every male in my family was called "Smitty." Plus the handle was a mini-tribute to my Dad, who was the one and only 'Smitty."
My home channel was channel 10. I hung out with people of all ages. Names like Catman, Wanderer, Skateman would become familiar friends. For the first time in my life I was part of "normal' guys. On the radio it didn't matter if you couldn't walk. Everyone was the same. Race, religion, disability didn't matter.
There were occasional disagreements, especially with neighboring channels, and we broke a few FCC rules (like playing music on the air or talking until the wee hours of the night without a break). But generally our group kept it light-hearted and fun and I became popular. I didn't like my high voice, but often I would just listen to others or while falling asleep on channel 19, listening to the truckers converse.
I learned that I had a good sense of humor which others saw and encouraged. I could be myself on the air.
I even had a few girls talk to me on a regular basis. I vividly remember three: Marnie, a local cheerleader; Irene, a tall, blond Polish beautyi n high school; and Kathy, a bubbly and funny chick who was a para-medic. She was special to me because she was one of the few people on the radio who knew about my disability yet didn't care. She always made me smile with her positive attitude and cheer. Her handle was "Micro-Medic.'
Kathy and I talked every night on her way home from work. I had a crush on her, but knew she was dating a guy who was in medical school. They eventually got married and I attended their wedding. Micro-Medic was one good friend who didn't fade away.
That's how it was on the radio- people came on the air and some stayed or some faded away after testing the latest fad.
I also used the radio as a tool for doing some good. I soon got involved in Phoenixville's Town Watch program, and every other Saturday night would spend a few hours as a base unit, keeping in touch with mobile units as they patrolled the streets and alerting police if they found anything suspicious. It made me feel like I was part of the community, doing this volunteer work and I was happy to finally be the one giving back to others.
It was always an interesting experience, meeting someone from the airwaves, putting a face to a voice and a name. Some were noticeably shocked when they met me, like "Wow, dude, you really are in a wheelchair!". Girls were generally disappointed, knowing that smooth-talking guy on the radio was actually a little, brittle guy. I did feel better when I met someone from the radio, knowing even my C.B. friends came in all shapes and sizes.
I missed not cruising, a popular but pointless endeavor on weekends, driving up and down the main street of a town, showing off your car, radio or both. More or less, my friends on the radio treated me well. I didn't come out and announce it, but, through word of mouth, most knew I couldn't walk but no one mentioned it. Why should they?
The radio was my first taste of discrimination. My story made the local papers about the truckers helping out this disabled kid, so I could no longer hide. I only hoped my radio-friends did'nt care and wanted to still talk to me. Maybe a few felt uneasy talking to me now, like they were afraid to say the wrong thing, I was happy that most choose to look into my heart and soul.Yes, there were a few CB'ers on the air who were just plain nasty and cruel ( and probably crazy). They called me names like "crippled', especially in front of the girls, maybe they were jealous. They threatened to find me ( which wouldn't be hard to do) and dump me out of my chair, just for kicks.
Their idea of fun would be to park at the head of my street and key up their powerful mics, covering my conversations. Most of the time it was trash talk and no action .One never knew who was bluffing and who was a serious, card-carrying nut.I never picked a fight or even battled back. It is what the bullies wanted.
Luckily I had more friends on my side, but at times I allowed the rude comments get to me..I would stay off the air for a few days and retreat back into my shell.
I didn't know how to deal with the ignorance, taking the comments from a few punks to heart. If only these creeps were in my shoes. Disablity is the largest minority group there is. Anyone could suddenly have an accident at any time. Sadly, the world didn't see it that way. I felt trapped in my body sometimes , like I was a normal person inside a very abnormal body.
It took me a while to ignore the rudeness. I learned how to laugh it off and find humor in the ignorance. The terms "crippled", "disabled" or "handicapped"..it didn't matter. Back then nothing was off-limits or inappropriate or politically incorrect. E ven on the radio, I was " different" to some. It seemed as if I could never escape it.
It was fun and I made friends, which was the point. There was always someone to talk to, even in the middle of the night. I started going to radio-related parties and picnics. A whole new world was opening up for me.
A group of truck drivers found out about my situation, took up a collection, and bought my first radio. They hooked it up and installed the antenna on the roof. It was the truckers way of spreading good cheer , helping me reach out to the world.
My first handle was "China Boy," because of my fragile bones. CB'ers generally would pick a handle (or nickname)that would make light of themselves, so China Boy was mine. My second handle was "Smitty," taken from my last name. Every male in my family was called "Smitty." Plus the handle was a mini-tribute to my Dad, who was the one and only 'Smitty."
My home channel was channel 10. I hung out with people of all ages. Names like Catman, Wanderer, Skateman would become familiar friends. For the first time in my life I was part of "normal' guys. On the radio it didn't matter if you couldn't walk. Everyone was the same. Race, religion, disability didn't matter.
There were occasional disagreements, especially with neighboring channels, and we broke a few FCC rules (like playing music on the air or talking until the wee hours of the night without a break). But generally our group kept it light-hearted and fun and I became popular. I didn't like my high voice, but often I would just listen to others or while falling asleep on channel 19, listening to the truckers converse.
I learned that I had a good sense of humor which others saw and encouraged. I could be myself on the air.
I even had a few girls talk to me on a regular basis. I vividly remember three: Marnie, a local cheerleader; Irene, a tall, blond Polish beautyi n high school; and Kathy, a bubbly and funny chick who was a para-medic. She was special to me because she was one of the few people on the radio who knew about my disability yet didn't care. She always made me smile with her positive attitude and cheer. Her handle was "Micro-Medic.'
Kathy and I talked every night on her way home from work. I had a crush on her, but knew she was dating a guy who was in medical school. They eventually got married and I attended their wedding. Micro-Medic was one good friend who didn't fade away.
That's how it was on the radio- people came on the air and some stayed or some faded away after testing the latest fad.
I also used the radio as a tool for doing some good. I soon got involved in Phoenixville's Town Watch program, and every other Saturday night would spend a few hours as a base unit, keeping in touch with mobile units as they patrolled the streets and alerting police if they found anything suspicious. It made me feel like I was part of the community, doing this volunteer work and I was happy to finally be the one giving back to others.
It was always an interesting experience, meeting someone from the airwaves, putting a face to a voice and a name. Some were noticeably shocked when they met me, like "Wow, dude, you really are in a wheelchair!". Girls were generally disappointed, knowing that smooth-talking guy on the radio was actually a little, brittle guy. I did feel better when I met someone from the radio, knowing even my C.B. friends came in all shapes and sizes.
I missed not cruising, a popular but pointless endeavor on weekends, driving up and down the main street of a town, showing off your car, radio or both. More or less, my friends on the radio treated me well. I didn't come out and announce it, but, through word of mouth, most knew I couldn't walk but no one mentioned it. Why should they?
The radio was my first taste of discrimination. My story made the local papers about the truckers helping out this disabled kid, so I could no longer hide. I only hoped my radio-friends did'nt care and wanted to still talk to me. Maybe a few felt uneasy talking to me now, like they were afraid to say the wrong thing, I was happy that most choose to look into my heart and soul.Yes, there were a few CB'ers on the air who were just plain nasty and cruel ( and probably crazy). They called me names like "crippled', especially in front of the girls, maybe they were jealous. They threatened to find me ( which wouldn't be hard to do) and dump me out of my chair, just for kicks.
Their idea of fun would be to park at the head of my street and key up their powerful mics, covering my conversations. Most of the time it was trash talk and no action .One never knew who was bluffing and who was a serious, card-carrying nut.I never picked a fight or even battled back. It is what the bullies wanted.
Luckily I had more friends on my side, but at times I allowed the rude comments get to me..I would stay off the air for a few days and retreat back into my shell.
I didn't know how to deal with the ignorance, taking the comments from a few punks to heart. If only these creeps were in my shoes. Disablity is the largest minority group there is. Anyone could suddenly have an accident at any time. Sadly, the world didn't see it that way. I felt trapped in my body sometimes , like I was a normal person inside a very abnormal body.
It took me a while to ignore the rudeness. I learned how to laugh it off and find humor in the ignorance. The terms "crippled", "disabled" or "handicapped"..it didn't matter. Back then nothing was off-limits or inappropriate or politically incorrect. E ven on the radio, I was " different" to some. It seemed as if I could never escape it.
CHIRPING BIRDS- EAGLES 2019 SCHEDULE
The Eagles 2019 schedule was released last night. We will review the schedule, game-by-game and analyze potential wins and losses. I know it's stupid because the draft has even happened yet. Injuries, free agency all can play a big part in the forecast. But it's fun to predict and dream football in the spring.
The schedule has its good and bad points, but mostly good. The early part looks manageable, and the Birds can start off 4-1 or go 2-3. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL to have three consecutive road games, all because of the Phillies., which is dumb. In the past the NFL was fine with the Eagles playing the same day as a Phillies playoff game. In fact, I was at an Eagles-Giants game at 1:00 on a Sunday afternoon in October, with a Phillies-Yankees World Series game on tap across the street at 8:00.
This was exactly ten years ago in 2009. It wasn't a problem then. The football crowd got out around 4:00 and either went home or tail-gated more with the incoming baseball fans. Traffic didn't seem to be an issue. So why are the Eagles the only team in the NFL to have three straight away games?
So, the Birds won't be home in October at all, bad for our fans as October weather- not too hot or cold- is probably ideal football weather. On the positive side they will be home all of November, with a trio of games at the Linc sandwiched around a bye week in Week 10, a great spot for a break.
Philly goes to Buffalo in October when it's not too cold, and to Miami in December when it's a good time to get out of the Philadelphia late fall chill. I like having four straight division games to end the season, building momentum for the playoffs.
All in all it could be worse. Here it is:
Week 1- Redskins at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Sept. 8 WIN
Division games are always tough but what could be a bad Washington team ,with new quarter back Case Keenum, invades the Linc. The weather should still be warm after Labor Day. DeSean Jackson's return to the nest, against his former team, the 'Skins.
Week 2- Eagles at Falcons- 8:20 Sunday, Sept. 15 LOSS
The 5th straight year we play Atlanta. The falcons failed to make the playoffs last year and pretty much crumbled down the stretch. Julio Jones and Matt Ryan are always a problem. Sunday Night Football with jackass Cris Collingsworth calling the game. I sense a loss as the Falcons will need this game, coming off a Week 1 loss in Minnesota.
Week 3- Lions at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Sept. 22 WIN
The last time Detroit played at the Linc it snowed, really bad. It was the now-famous Snow ball when then-Eagle LeShaun McCoy ran wild through the snow and the lions defense. I can't see the Lions winning in Philly, plus the Eagles will need this game to go 2-1.
Week 4- Eagles at Packers- 8:20 Thursday, Sept, 26 LOSS
Another shaft in the schedule- a road Thursday night game. Four teams in a row to start the season that didn't make the playoffs last year. The Pack are tough to beat at Lanbeau Field but at least it's not frigid December at night. Still, Green Bay somehow wins.
Week 5- Jets at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Oct., 6 WIN
Another home win against New York. Again, I can't see the Birds losing at home to the jets, no matter how good second-year QB Sam Danold is.Plus it's the last home game for a while.
Week 6- Eagles at Vikings- Sunday, 1:00 LOSS
Like the Green Bay and Atlanta games, this could easily be a road win. The Eagles are capable of marching into Minnesota and coming back with a victory. The Vikings got revenge last year for their NFC Championship Game defeat the year before, so revenge won't be as strong. It will depend how well Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins is playing. Can Carson Wentz win a big road game?
Week 7- Eagles at Cowboys- Sunday, 8:20 Oct. 20 WIN
This breaks the win/loss pattern. The Birds usually play well in Dallas on Sunday Night Football. Revenge for the Cowboy sweep last season.
Week 8- Eagles at Bills- 1:00 Sunday,Oct. 27 WIN
I know the Bills are competitive in Buffalo and it's the dangerous third road game of the stretch but I like the Birds here for some reason. The weather should cooperate. Somehow Wentz gets it down. Will they face Shady McCoy again?
Week 9- Bears at Eagles- Sunday, 1:00 Nov. 3 WIN
Great to be back at Lincoln Financial Field! The schedule could be flexed, as this is a rematch of their playoff game. I see a rout as the fans welcome the team home after a month.They go into the bye on a positive note.
Week 10- Bye Nov. 10
Ideal time to rest and heal. I have the Eagles' record at 6-3 but could easily but 8-1 or 7-2 with any luck.
Week 11- Patriots at Eagles- 4:25 Sunday, Nov. 17 WIN
Probably tom Brady's last appearance in Philadelphia. Late FOX game with all the hype of a Super bowl rematch.
Week 12- Seahawks at Eagles- 8:20 Sunday, Nov. 24 LOSS
Better than playing in Seattle. The Seahawks love playing in prime time. The Eagles can't have a perfect home record, can they? True, Seattle must cross country to play on Sunday night. Could be a little let-down for the eagles after beating New England the week before.
Week 13- Eagles at Dolphins-1:00 Sunday, Dec. 1 WIN
This game depends on how well the Dolphins are playing. Eagle fans should take over warm Miami.
Week 14- Giants at Eagles 8:15 Monday, Dec. 9 WIN
Division game. Eagles' only appearance on Monday night. By this time the Giants will have packed it in.
Week 15- Eagles at Redskins 1:00 Sunday, Dec 15 LOSS
Maybe Washington will have packed it in as well by now but somehow i think they play well and beat the Birds.
Week 16- Cowboys at Eagles- 4;25 Sunday, Dec, 22 WIN
Merry Christmas! Completing the sweep of Dallas. Last regular season home game.
Week 17- Eagles at Giants- 1:00 Sunday, Dec, 29 WIN
No problem in the Meadowlands with a New York club that may play hard for a half then give up.
Final prediction- 11-5.
Will that be good enough to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC? How will the Rams and Saints do? The Birds make the playoffs but their seeding will go a long way to determining how far they will go on their road to the Super Bowl.
The schedule has its good and bad points, but mostly good. The early part looks manageable, and the Birds can start off 4-1 or go 2-3. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL to have three consecutive road games, all because of the Phillies., which is dumb. In the past the NFL was fine with the Eagles playing the same day as a Phillies playoff game. In fact, I was at an Eagles-Giants game at 1:00 on a Sunday afternoon in October, with a Phillies-Yankees World Series game on tap across the street at 8:00.
This was exactly ten years ago in 2009. It wasn't a problem then. The football crowd got out around 4:00 and either went home or tail-gated more with the incoming baseball fans. Traffic didn't seem to be an issue. So why are the Eagles the only team in the NFL to have three straight away games?
So, the Birds won't be home in October at all, bad for our fans as October weather- not too hot or cold- is probably ideal football weather. On the positive side they will be home all of November, with a trio of games at the Linc sandwiched around a bye week in Week 10, a great spot for a break.
Philly goes to Buffalo in October when it's not too cold, and to Miami in December when it's a good time to get out of the Philadelphia late fall chill. I like having four straight division games to end the season, building momentum for the playoffs.
All in all it could be worse. Here it is:
Week 1- Redskins at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Sept. 8 WIN
Division games are always tough but what could be a bad Washington team ,with new quarter back Case Keenum, invades the Linc. The weather should still be warm after Labor Day. DeSean Jackson's return to the nest, against his former team, the 'Skins.
Week 2- Eagles at Falcons- 8:20 Sunday, Sept. 15 LOSS
The 5th straight year we play Atlanta. The falcons failed to make the playoffs last year and pretty much crumbled down the stretch. Julio Jones and Matt Ryan are always a problem. Sunday Night Football with jackass Cris Collingsworth calling the game. I sense a loss as the Falcons will need this game, coming off a Week 1 loss in Minnesota.
Week 3- Lions at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Sept. 22 WIN
The last time Detroit played at the Linc it snowed, really bad. It was the now-famous Snow ball when then-Eagle LeShaun McCoy ran wild through the snow and the lions defense. I can't see the Lions winning in Philly, plus the Eagles will need this game to go 2-1.
Week 4- Eagles at Packers- 8:20 Thursday, Sept, 26 LOSS
Another shaft in the schedule- a road Thursday night game. Four teams in a row to start the season that didn't make the playoffs last year. The Pack are tough to beat at Lanbeau Field but at least it's not frigid December at night. Still, Green Bay somehow wins.
Week 5- Jets at Eagles- 1:00 Sunday, Oct., 6 WIN
Another home win against New York. Again, I can't see the Birds losing at home to the jets, no matter how good second-year QB Sam Danold is.Plus it's the last home game for a while.
Week 6- Eagles at Vikings- Sunday, 1:00 LOSS
Like the Green Bay and Atlanta games, this could easily be a road win. The Eagles are capable of marching into Minnesota and coming back with a victory. The Vikings got revenge last year for their NFC Championship Game defeat the year before, so revenge won't be as strong. It will depend how well Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins is playing. Can Carson Wentz win a big road game?
Week 7- Eagles at Cowboys- Sunday, 8:20 Oct. 20 WIN
This breaks the win/loss pattern. The Birds usually play well in Dallas on Sunday Night Football. Revenge for the Cowboy sweep last season.
Week 8- Eagles at Bills- 1:00 Sunday,Oct. 27 WIN
I know the Bills are competitive in Buffalo and it's the dangerous third road game of the stretch but I like the Birds here for some reason. The weather should cooperate. Somehow Wentz gets it down. Will they face Shady McCoy again?
Week 9- Bears at Eagles- Sunday, 1:00 Nov. 3 WIN
Great to be back at Lincoln Financial Field! The schedule could be flexed, as this is a rematch of their playoff game. I see a rout as the fans welcome the team home after a month.They go into the bye on a positive note.
Week 10- Bye Nov. 10
Ideal time to rest and heal. I have the Eagles' record at 6-3 but could easily but 8-1 or 7-2 with any luck.
Week 11- Patriots at Eagles- 4:25 Sunday, Nov. 17 WIN
Probably tom Brady's last appearance in Philadelphia. Late FOX game with all the hype of a Super bowl rematch.
Week 12- Seahawks at Eagles- 8:20 Sunday, Nov. 24 LOSS
Better than playing in Seattle. The Seahawks love playing in prime time. The Eagles can't have a perfect home record, can they? True, Seattle must cross country to play on Sunday night. Could be a little let-down for the eagles after beating New England the week before.
Week 13- Eagles at Dolphins-1:00 Sunday, Dec. 1 WIN
This game depends on how well the Dolphins are playing. Eagle fans should take over warm Miami.
Week 14- Giants at Eagles 8:15 Monday, Dec. 9 WIN
Division game. Eagles' only appearance on Monday night. By this time the Giants will have packed it in.
Week 15- Eagles at Redskins 1:00 Sunday, Dec 15 LOSS
Maybe Washington will have packed it in as well by now but somehow i think they play well and beat the Birds.
Week 16- Cowboys at Eagles- 4;25 Sunday, Dec, 22 WIN
Merry Christmas! Completing the sweep of Dallas. Last regular season home game.
Week 17- Eagles at Giants- 1:00 Sunday, Dec, 29 WIN
No problem in the Meadowlands with a New York club that may play hard for a half then give up.
Final prediction- 11-5.
Will that be good enough to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC? How will the Rams and Saints do? The Birds make the playoffs but their seeding will go a long way to determining how far they will go on their road to the Super Bowl.
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES, BASEBALL REVIEW
Can't get anymore drama than yesterday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Two outs in the 9th inning. The visiting Mets had the bases loaded. The count was 3-2. Phillies pitcher Hector Neris, shaky at best, on the mound. New York rookie Broxton at the plate. Crowd standing and cheering. Would Neris risk walking in a run by throwing his signature pitch, the split-finger? Would the Phillies take the rubber game of the three-game series and finally beat their arch-rival?
Neris threw a fastball right by Broxton for the strikeout and the Phils escaped. Jake Arrieta, pitching brilliantly all day, notched his second win on the young season. The Phillies held onto first place in NL East, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets. One big pitch decided it all.
Scott Kingery continued his hot-hitting, belting his second home in two days. Cesar Hernandez, fighting to hold onto his starting job at second base, also clubbed a home run.
The team starts a four-game series in Colorado tonight. Despite their record, the Rockies are a dangerous team at home, a playoff team last season. Splittingwith the Rockies would be fine. Then its on to New York to take on the Mets again before heading back to Philly for four with the lowly Marlins.
Despite the bullpen drama, I still don't want to tie up money with closer Craig Kimbrel unless its a one-year deal. I'd rather spend the cash later in the spring/summer. I want the front office to target Giants' starter Madison Baumgarner and Reds' closer Raisel Iglesias. Both teams are going nowhere. Baumgarner is a big-game guy, the lefty the rotation needs, and would be huge in the post-season. Iglesias is the hammer they need at the back of the bullpen.
Neris threw a fastball right by Broxton for the strikeout and the Phils escaped. Jake Arrieta, pitching brilliantly all day, notched his second win on the young season. The Phillies held onto first place in NL East, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets. One big pitch decided it all.
Scott Kingery continued his hot-hitting, belting his second home in two days. Cesar Hernandez, fighting to hold onto his starting job at second base, also clubbed a home run.
The team starts a four-game series in Colorado tonight. Despite their record, the Rockies are a dangerous team at home, a playoff team last season. Splittingwith the Rockies would be fine. Then its on to New York to take on the Mets again before heading back to Philly for four with the lowly Marlins.
Despite the bullpen drama, I still don't want to tie up money with closer Craig Kimbrel unless its a one-year deal. I'd rather spend the cash later in the spring/summer. I want the front office to target Giants' starter Madison Baumgarner and Reds' closer Raisel Iglesias. Both teams are going nowhere. Baumgarner is a big-game guy, the lefty the rotation needs, and would be huge in the post-season. Iglesias is the hammer they need at the back of the bullpen.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
World Series
Which of the following teams has won more World Series than they have lost?
Answer; D.
Cincinnati has played in nine World Series and won five of them. They beat the White Sox in 1919, the Tigers in 1940, the Red Sox in 1975, the Yankees in 1976, and the A's in 1990.
Baseball Birthdays
Miguel Cabrera
Steve Blass
Jim Eisenreich
Which of the following teams has won more World Series than they have lost?
Answer; D.
Cincinnati has played in nine World Series and won five of them. They beat the White Sox in 1919, the Tigers in 1940, the Red Sox in 1975, the Yankees in 1976, and the A's in 1990.
Baseball Birthdays
Miguel Cabrera
Steve Blass
Jim Eisenreich
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- APRIL 18
Boxing Trivia
Name the first southpaw to win the heavyweight title.
Answer; 25 years ago Michael Moorer became the first southpaw to win the heavyweight championship when he defeated Evander Holyfield in a 12-round decision.
Holyfield would briefly retire four days later, upon learning he had a heart condition.
Name the first southpaw to win the heavyweight title.
Answer; 25 years ago Michael Moorer became the first southpaw to win the heavyweight championship when he defeated Evander Holyfield in a 12-round decision.
Holyfield would briefly retire four days later, upon learning he had a heart condition.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
MY LIFE WITH BRITTLE BONES-9
It was around this time in my life when we moved from my childhood home on Fourth Avenue to a smaller row-house on Hall Street, still in beloved Phoenixville. Hall Street was where Mom grew up. It was three stories, so Dad would carry me up and down the stairs .I still wasn't very independent due to my fragile body, plus the new house wasn't accessible. I crawled around the downstairs, like an infant would, instead of using a wheelchair inside. I had a wheelchair, but for some reason I didn't use it much indoors. I got from room to room but as I grew older, it was an odd way of traveling and I used a wheelchair full-time.
I loved sitting outside in my wheelchair in the summer. playing whiffle ball or Nerf Ball with my brothers or kids around the neighborhood. This made me feel "normal." Pushing my chair around the block, getting to know the neighbors and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful weather gave me a sense of freedom.
I had yet another crush on a younger neighborhood girl who spent some of her time with me playing cards or doing homework. I didn't have many friends, at least not around my age. Because I spent so much of my early life in hospitals and casts and indoors recovering from fractures I didn't develop close friendships with peers who had things in common. There was no "hanging out with buddies" because I was so isolated in my youth.
My teenage years were also the surgical years. I was still fracturing but I was alive, which amazed the doctors.
When I turned thirteen they decided to try surgery. I had five operations on my legs. Dr. Nicholson thought that inserting stainless steel pins and rods into the bones of my lower legs would add strength and would hopefully allow me to stand and walk. My legs were slowing beginning to bow ( or curve), a grotesque event but common in O.I., so the pins would hopefully keep my legs straight as well.
But after each surgery a few months later a scab would form on my leg. Soon, the shiny sharp point of the pin would emerge through the skin. My body rejected the pins. Dr. Nicholson would then pull them out with a pair of pliers, and the process would start over again. With each surgery the pins were heavier and larger, yet my body said no.
It was a frustrating few years for me and the doctors. All that work, rehabilitation, months in a cast, only to see the gruesome sight of the pin protruding from my leg once again.
Every time I had surgery I dreaded it, especially leaving home. Those were emotionally painful days, never knowing if I would go home again or when. I spent most of my childhood at home, especially in my room, the center of my world. Leaving that warm environment for a cold, sterile hospital ward was tough. To a kid it was scary stuff, especially the uncertainty.
Discharge day was like Christmas Day. The care was great, the staff were kind. There was a reason why it was called Children's Hospital. But home was home- the familiar surroundings and people. It was a feeling I always remembered, which served me well down the road when I became a social worker and was on the other end of discharging a patient home.
With each operation my legs became smaller and smaller. The doctors had to take bone out every time, so my legs became stunted. They were rounder, not bowed, at least until the pins rejected, but my legs became dwarf-like, not i n proportion with the rest of my body.
The first time they took off the cast after the first pin and rod surgery I was horrified. I never expected my legs to be so disfigured. They didn't look great before, with all the fractures, but now I looked like a monster. I cried looking down at my own legs. It was a terror I never really got used to, one I could never get away from.
It was during one of those rejections that Dr. Nicholson and I had out first disagreement. Before, he would pull the pins out when they came through the skin far enough to grab. But this time the rods were huge. My legs felt even weaker, and the pain from the past rejections were still fresh in my mind. When we reached the hospital I lost it. Maybe it was all that pent-up anxiety and sadness.
It was like someone else was in control of my emotions. I wouldn't allow Dr. Nicholson, or anyone, touch me. I sat on the familiar table in the cast room where I had suffered so many times before. This time I was determined I had enough.
I wondered why they could not numb my leg when they pulled out the rod. Why did it have to hurt so much? You get a shot of Novocaine at the dentist before a tooth is pulled. This was a steel rod sticking out of my leg, for God's sake.
Here I was, ready to have a stainless steel dagger pulled out of the bone in my leg, and Dr. Nicholson wouldn't give me anything for pain.
It will only take a second, reasoned my parents. Be brave! I cried and screamed "No!"
For the first time since I knew Nicholson, close to ten years now, I felt he was out of touch with my feelings. He acted like he didn't have time for this foolishness. I had been brave for so long. Maybe he took my tolerance for pain for granted. I felt helpless on that cold table. Please, somebody help m, was all that went through my mind. .
My parents couldn't or wouldn't say anything I was their kid. Their hearts had to be breaking yet they deferred to Nicholson. It had to kill them when aides held me down and Nicholson yanked on the rod, successfully pulling it out. I yelled with pain. It was worse than a fracture, which I was almost immune to by then.
I left the hospital in tears. my confidence shaken in my hero, Dr, Nicholson. Suddenly I hated him. Not only for today but for making my legs so twisted and ugly, for not being able to help me although deep down inside, when I was calmer, I knew he was trying). Maybe he was the symbol of the entire damn thing. He personified O.I. and I hated it.
I never wanted to see him again.. I feared surgery more than ever. Yet I knew I was trapped. I would see Dr. Nicholson again. I would often frequent Children's Hospital in the years to come. Like it or not, there was no way around it.
When I stayed in the hospital during those surgerical years, I met many people: other sick kids, nurses, doctors. Often, interns or doctors from foreign countries would stop by my room to gaze at my legs. I generally didn't mind, although as I was growing up I was becoming more self-conscious about my appearance, as any teenager would. I wish I only had pimples to worry about.
At times I did feel like an animal in a zoo. I truly was a rare species, and anything to help doctors understand O.I. better, it was worth the awkwardness of the moment.
One time they wheeled me into this huge auditorium where I was greeted by a sea of white uniformed doctors and nurses. Dr. Nicholson was there, front and center, having various diagrams, charts and x-rays tacked on a blackboard. He lectured for a while, showing the group my legs, and much to my relief, I was out the door once more.
Even though the surgeries didn't help me to walk, as was the ultimate goal, the doctors were right about one thing: after age sixteen I stopped fracturing so much. That in itself was a miracle. Less pain, less trips to the hospital, fewer casts. I could live a semi-normal life. Plus it looked like I was going to live after all.
I was now officially wheelchair-bound. I learned the fine art of doing wheelies and going everywhere fast. I had an electric chair at the time but the doctors thought I needed a manual one more for exercise, the lighter the better.
I got used to life in a wheelchair, and every few years I would trade it in for a newer and improved model just like a car. And as my physical needs increased, so did the variations on my chair.
To me, pushing my chair was like an able-bodied person walking. I didn't think about it- I just did it.
Thar's how most of my life was. If I had stopped and thought about what I was doing I most likely never would've achieved what I did. I just did it.
With my legs even more battered and scarred my low self-esteem continued to plummet. I became more shy and withdrawn. No matter the constant encouragement from family and well-meaning friends, I knew I was different, at least on the outside. My legs were ugly. They would always be disfigured. It was a fact I had to accept and live with. It took a long time until I found peace in my heart and soul, as all I world have to do is look down at my legs and be constantly reminded of my past. So, there was no where to look but up.
I loved sitting outside in my wheelchair in the summer. playing whiffle ball or Nerf Ball with my brothers or kids around the neighborhood. This made me feel "normal." Pushing my chair around the block, getting to know the neighbors and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful weather gave me a sense of freedom.
I had yet another crush on a younger neighborhood girl who spent some of her time with me playing cards or doing homework. I didn't have many friends, at least not around my age. Because I spent so much of my early life in hospitals and casts and indoors recovering from fractures I didn't develop close friendships with peers who had things in common. There was no "hanging out with buddies" because I was so isolated in my youth.
My teenage years were also the surgical years. I was still fracturing but I was alive, which amazed the doctors.
When I turned thirteen they decided to try surgery. I had five operations on my legs. Dr. Nicholson thought that inserting stainless steel pins and rods into the bones of my lower legs would add strength and would hopefully allow me to stand and walk. My legs were slowing beginning to bow ( or curve), a grotesque event but common in O.I., so the pins would hopefully keep my legs straight as well.
But after each surgery a few months later a scab would form on my leg. Soon, the shiny sharp point of the pin would emerge through the skin. My body rejected the pins. Dr. Nicholson would then pull them out with a pair of pliers, and the process would start over again. With each surgery the pins were heavier and larger, yet my body said no.
It was a frustrating few years for me and the doctors. All that work, rehabilitation, months in a cast, only to see the gruesome sight of the pin protruding from my leg once again.
Every time I had surgery I dreaded it, especially leaving home. Those were emotionally painful days, never knowing if I would go home again or when. I spent most of my childhood at home, especially in my room, the center of my world. Leaving that warm environment for a cold, sterile hospital ward was tough. To a kid it was scary stuff, especially the uncertainty.
Discharge day was like Christmas Day. The care was great, the staff were kind. There was a reason why it was called Children's Hospital. But home was home- the familiar surroundings and people. It was a feeling I always remembered, which served me well down the road when I became a social worker and was on the other end of discharging a patient home.
With each operation my legs became smaller and smaller. The doctors had to take bone out every time, so my legs became stunted. They were rounder, not bowed, at least until the pins rejected, but my legs became dwarf-like, not i n proportion with the rest of my body.
The first time they took off the cast after the first pin and rod surgery I was horrified. I never expected my legs to be so disfigured. They didn't look great before, with all the fractures, but now I looked like a monster. I cried looking down at my own legs. It was a terror I never really got used to, one I could never get away from.
It was during one of those rejections that Dr. Nicholson and I had out first disagreement. Before, he would pull the pins out when they came through the skin far enough to grab. But this time the rods were huge. My legs felt even weaker, and the pain from the past rejections were still fresh in my mind. When we reached the hospital I lost it. Maybe it was all that pent-up anxiety and sadness.
It was like someone else was in control of my emotions. I wouldn't allow Dr. Nicholson, or anyone, touch me. I sat on the familiar table in the cast room where I had suffered so many times before. This time I was determined I had enough.
I wondered why they could not numb my leg when they pulled out the rod. Why did it have to hurt so much? You get a shot of Novocaine at the dentist before a tooth is pulled. This was a steel rod sticking out of my leg, for God's sake.
Here I was, ready to have a stainless steel dagger pulled out of the bone in my leg, and Dr. Nicholson wouldn't give me anything for pain.
It will only take a second, reasoned my parents. Be brave! I cried and screamed "No!"
For the first time since I knew Nicholson, close to ten years now, I felt he was out of touch with my feelings. He acted like he didn't have time for this foolishness. I had been brave for so long. Maybe he took my tolerance for pain for granted. I felt helpless on that cold table. Please, somebody help m, was all that went through my mind. .
My parents couldn't or wouldn't say anything I was their kid. Their hearts had to be breaking yet they deferred to Nicholson. It had to kill them when aides held me down and Nicholson yanked on the rod, successfully pulling it out. I yelled with pain. It was worse than a fracture, which I was almost immune to by then.
I left the hospital in tears. my confidence shaken in my hero, Dr, Nicholson. Suddenly I hated him. Not only for today but for making my legs so twisted and ugly, for not being able to help me although deep down inside, when I was calmer, I knew he was trying). Maybe he was the symbol of the entire damn thing. He personified O.I. and I hated it.
I never wanted to see him again.. I feared surgery more than ever. Yet I knew I was trapped. I would see Dr. Nicholson again. I would often frequent Children's Hospital in the years to come. Like it or not, there was no way around it.
When I stayed in the hospital during those surgerical years, I met many people: other sick kids, nurses, doctors. Often, interns or doctors from foreign countries would stop by my room to gaze at my legs. I generally didn't mind, although as I was growing up I was becoming more self-conscious about my appearance, as any teenager would. I wish I only had pimples to worry about.
At times I did feel like an animal in a zoo. I truly was a rare species, and anything to help doctors understand O.I. better, it was worth the awkwardness of the moment.
One time they wheeled me into this huge auditorium where I was greeted by a sea of white uniformed doctors and nurses. Dr. Nicholson was there, front and center, having various diagrams, charts and x-rays tacked on a blackboard. He lectured for a while, showing the group my legs, and much to my relief, I was out the door once more.
Even though the surgeries didn't help me to walk, as was the ultimate goal, the doctors were right about one thing: after age sixteen I stopped fracturing so much. That in itself was a miracle. Less pain, less trips to the hospital, fewer casts. I could live a semi-normal life. Plus it looked like I was going to live after all.
I was now officially wheelchair-bound. I learned the fine art of doing wheelies and going everywhere fast. I had an electric chair at the time but the doctors thought I needed a manual one more for exercise, the lighter the better.
I got used to life in a wheelchair, and every few years I would trade it in for a newer and improved model just like a car. And as my physical needs increased, so did the variations on my chair.
To me, pushing my chair was like an able-bodied person walking. I didn't think about it- I just did it.
Thar's how most of my life was. If I had stopped and thought about what I was doing I most likely never would've achieved what I did. I just did it.
With my legs even more battered and scarred my low self-esteem continued to plummet. I became more shy and withdrawn. No matter the constant encouragement from family and well-meaning friends, I knew I was different, at least on the outside. My legs were ugly. They would always be disfigured. It was a fact I had to accept and live with. It took a long time until I found peace in my heart and soul, as all I world have to do is look down at my legs and be constantly reminded of my past. So, there was no where to look but up.
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