When I was younger, I used to think that I would be old when I could say, “that happened 20 years ago.” As if, remembering something from 20 years ago would mean I was old. Ha ha

Well, 28 years ago today, I had surgery #5. June 9th will always be a day to celebrate. I had two surgeries in January 1992, and then my spine re-collapsed. I had two additional surgeries in May/June 1992, where the doctors were not able to straighten my spine. But today, 28 years ago, after several complications from prior surgeries (fun stuff like heart failure and my lungs collapsing), Dr. Garfin straightened my spine. Amazing.

Today, I live a pain-free life. I think that might be the most miraculous part of my story. I can swim, ski, run (although, I don’t), hike mountains, and whatever else sounds fun, with no pain. As I age, my back might ache when I carry something too heavy (I can be stubborn like that), but whose back doesn’t?

While January 24th is the day I honor my teammates; June 9th is the day I honor my medical team. I survived the accident on January 24th, but I was given the gift of an active life on June 9th. And that’s something to jump up and down to celebrate.