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IAmA result of a woman drinking during pregnancy (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) AMA [Fixed/Proof]
Please note message in bold at the bottom of this post
To give you the quick run-down: Mentally, I have no issues.
Physical issues:
- One Kidney
- Dextrocardia (heart is on opposite side)
- Extra vertebrae in spine (neck area)
- Pectus Carinatum (my chest is messed up)
- Left hand is handicapped (missing horseshoe joint in thumb)
- Left arm's muscles atrophied
- Nerve degeneration
Proof of identity/congenital issues:
Name: Blake
Age: 26 (July, 1985)
Location: Louisiana
This is my chest and left arm < Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
The Facebook photo of me on the monitor behind me in the picture above
Left hand, Palm - Missing horseshoe joint
Left hand, Back - Missing horseshoe joint
I cannot prove the kidney or the vertebrae issue because I don't have any X-Rays handy, sorry - for those you'll just have to take me at my word.
Other Notes: "Dextracardia" is how my father described it to me growing up. I do not know the exact medical term. My heart is tilted the opposite direction it should be, is what I'm told by doctors. Edit: the term I apparently meant was "Dextrocardia"
Message from one of the trolls, who decided to be honest
Why did I decide to post this? Instead of having issues with my birth mother, as was asked many times (I do not), I have issues with women who decide to be irresponsible during pregnancy. I am very uncomfortable with my chest and when I'm in T-Shirts, some more immature and childish people have made comments. This has not done good things to my self-image and has molded my extremely introverted personality.
I realize I am lucky. This could've been worse. I also realize there are many more who are much worse off than I am, and I'm not here for pity. I'm here for those women and friends of women who may decide to make some bad decisions to see what it can do.
If even more proof is needed, I will be awake for 3 more hours and then I must sleep to be up at 7 p.m. to be at work by 9 p.m. I will have a short window in between when I wake up and when I go to work to answer more questions.
I originally posted this without the foreknowledge that I would be expected to remain available for questions of proof most of the day. I work 9 p.m. - 7 a.m. Central, and went to bed about 3 hours after I posted the first AMA. I expected maybe 20-30 more questions once I woke up, but was surprised to see 700+ responses and the fact that the AMA had been removed due to lack of proof. I wanted to thank the original questions/statements of those being supportive.
The time is now 11:11 a.m. Central time. I have been answering questions since this was posted and will continue answering questions for another 19 minutes. At 11:30, I must sleep so I can work tonight. Thank you all for the positive comments. I will have a small amount of time to answer some questions when I wake up.
The time is now 11:33. I must sleep or I'll be useless tonight at work. Thanks again to all those with the encouraging words. My biggest issue is my self-image and self-esteem, and to hear things like this from people on the internet, most of which I've never heard from anyone before, is extremely encouraging. You guys are awesome. I'll be on around 7:45 p.m. central to catch up for about 15-20 minutes. Night guys!
Edit, 7:26 p.m. Unexpected response, guys. A large portion of you have said some amazing things that I think will help the way I feel when I get down on myself. I unfortunately only have about 30 minutes before I have to go serve some Waffles for 10 hours, but you guys are awesome and thank you so much. I'm finally off tomorrow, so when I get home I'm going to go back and try and answer everything I can individually.
Couple things though - I do want to quit smoking at some point, not proud of it, just been doing it for 10 years and it is indeed difficult to quit. I've heard some great methods on this post, though, and I might just give some of them a try. Thanks again guys.