My Introduction

My name is Alisha and I am 21 years old. I'm 4'11" and my heaviest weight was 275lbs in June 2015.

I was born 3 months prematurely at 6 months 4 days (That's about 24 weeks). I weighed a pound and a half at birth (I was something like 0.2 grams bigger than the world's smallest baby). By 12 months I was finally just over 12 pounds and still looked like a new born. Doctors told my parents that preemie babies don't live long; and usually have more complications including: lasting disabilities, and learning and behavioral problems.
So I believed that due to being a premature baby I would most likely not make it past my early 20's. I grew up always believing it. Until I turned 18.

I have always had extreme back pain. The earliest year I can remember complaining was 7 years old. But I have been seeing the chiropractor since I was 2 years old for neck pain. It wasn't until after years of complaining, x-rays, and MRIs, doctors finally figured out what it was. I was born with a rare condition. A tethered spinal cord. Believing I didn't have much time left since my spinal cord was pulling my brain and could cause severe brain and nerve damage, as well as permanent paralysis, they operated when I was 17. I had a 70% chance of dying on the operating table. The surgery took over 10 hours to complete and they removed L3, L4 and L5 in my lumbar spine as well as shaving down my pelvis bone. After my surgery I had to learn how to walk again.

2 months after my spinal surgery my father and I were in a car crash. My family doctor checked my spine with x-rays to insure no damage was done and all seemed OK. Since this car accident, my migraines have been on and off. But more recently more frequent and severe.

A year later I was attending university 500km away from home. I did well in university, and loved every educational minute. I was independent, and paid my way with Scholarships and Bursaries--but I always missed my family and the mountains back home. My first year I drove back home almost every month to visit my folks; but when my first year summer came along I decided to stay and not move back home for the 3 months. During this time was when I met Erik on Plenty of Fish. 27 days later I was moved in, and he asked me to marry him. We then moved back to BC in April 2014 to get married and to help out my mum who was diagnosed with Cancer just before Christmas 2013.

In July 2014 I married the love of my life, my best friend, and the rock that keeps be standing.
My husband and I have been through hell and back in the just over 2 years we have been together. But we always keep fighting because that's what makes us stronger.

Since my surgery I have gained 100lbs. I went from 175 in October of 2011 (my surgery weight) to 195 in July 2013, which continued to rise to 275 in June 2015. That right there was my wake-up call. I was the most depressed I have ever been. I was in a dark, and dangerous place. I'm only just starting to come out of that, and it can still be very difficult. But I'm doing everything I can to push forward. My weight is currently between 264-234 because my scale is broken. So I'll be buying a new one soon to help keep me properly on track.

Because of my surgery and my spinal problems, I am unable to move or bend certain ways and it limits my mobility. However, I am not going to let that stop me. I am going to fight to the best of my ability for my health!

But I have had an epiphany recently: my body is a temple and the only one I have while I am on this earth. I need to be treating it with respect and giving it the proper nutrients it needs. I need to learn to love myself again. I am beautiful and I am worth it.

#alwayskeepfighting