| NAME: Jennifer Sosich D.O.B: 24/09/1975 Home: New Zealand |
| Living with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita |
| Hey there, my name is Jenny, I was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, (AMC). Which has effected both of my shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and feet. I was born with one straight leg and one bent leg (which I broke in the womb), and both feet are clubbed. I've had several corrective surgeries on both legs from the age of 1 to 12 years old. And thankfully have had no surgery on my arms. They gave me my first motorised wheelchair at the age of 4, but like alot of people with disabilties, they had me trying all sorts of contraptions to get me mobile, I tried trolleys 3 inches off the ground (boye did spiders look big ...), my first trolley was made by my Grandfather. |
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| Then I tried walkers that always seemed to wheel too fast, they almost had me running before I could walk... :o) That was until the age of six when they decided to make me a pair of crutches with a special glove that covered my hand so I couldn't lose my grip. Within 18 months I was walking unaided, I wore splnts on both legs, one long, one short, to support me and I also wore Orthotic boots up until I was 18 years old. Although I'm not able to walk at all now, not having to wear splints anymore has given me more freedom mobility wise - believe it or not, and I can now wear nice clothes, skirts etc... 2004 has been a big year for me; I bought my second home, threw out my splints, I have found my life purpose, which is to empower others with disabilities. 2005 I left my job, working as a Training Co-ordinator early this year because. ...... I'M HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes you read right, I'm due on 16 Sep 2005 but think it'll be early and more like late July/early August. 4 August 2005 I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy, Matthew. He was born via caesarean 6 weeks prem and weighed 4lbs 14oz. 2006 I am now fighting to keep the custody of my son because the funded support I received, after our 2mth stay in hospital due to no funding at that stage, is running out and the government is saying that there is a huge funding gap in support parents with disabilities to assist them in caring for their children while they are young. Yet no-one wants to fill that gap. UPDATED 11 JUNE 2006 |
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If you are a parent with a Disability in NZ, then please join my online New Zealand Parents with Disabilities Group (NZPDG) by clicking on the baby hippo, you will be directed to the site. I'm also working on another website which will coincide with this one. It'll have my story and my media clippings as well as other parents stories. |
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