2025 was a year of growth for me in multiple areas of my life, and I’m hoping 2026 will be the same. One area I achieved a lot of growth in is my physical abilities. Nearly a year ago today, I received BOTOX injections for the first time since I was four – not the cosmetic type in my face, but injections in three muscles in my left foot and three muscles in my left calf to relieve spasticity (tightness in my muscles) in my left toes and my left calf. Since 2019, I have had off and on hip pain, especially during the winter. In 2020, I had PT for IT Band Syndrome on my left side, with pain primarily in my hip area. In 2024, I went to PT again – this time for left hip bursitis. While the PT helped throughout the summer, once fall came around, the same pain came back. I was also in severe pain after a day of working at DSW because my toes would contract uncontrollably nearly the entire shift. As soon as I got them to relax, they would just contract again. At this point, I knew I had to likely do what I never wanted to again – get BOTOX injections. I still have medical trauma from when I got BOTOX at four years old. In the fall of 2024, I saw a neurologist for the first time since I was two and a half years old. She ordered an updated MRI of my brain and agreed to start doing BOTOX injections. Since last January, I’ve had 4 sets of injections in my leg in 7 muscles – starting in July we added another muscle.
Alongside the BOTOX injections every 3 months, I did 11 months of PT. The combination of BOTOX and PT have been life-changing. For the first time since I can remember, I’m getting consistent heel-strike on my left side when I walk. Having more range of motion in my ankle has taken the work off my hip. My two goals for starting BOTOX and PT were to prevent continued hip pain, especially during the winter and to prevent my toes from contracting consistently. I achieved these goals (so far this winter) and so much more.
I began seeing the positive impact the treatments were having on my life in March – about a month after starting PT and a month and a half after starting BOTOX. On the day of the Montgomery County History Day competition, I had to hurry to grab a prop for a student from the school. Thankfully, I had gained enough strength in my left leg that I felt comfortable running. I ended up sprinting into the school and down the hallways. Because of that, I made it back just in time before the student had to start her performance. That same student would go on to win 1st place at the National History Day competition in June for her individual performance. (That will forever be my favorite story from last school year.)
For the first time in 10 years, I can wear some shoes that don’t have a backing. I cried of joy last April when I tried on a pair of plastic Birkenstock sandals, and I could keep the left shoe on my left foot. PT helped me get enough function in my toes for them to be able to grip shoes. My physical therapist helped me believe that I could get back abilities that I had lost as I got older and gain some that I never had before. I thought my left toes would be completely paralyzed for life. She proved me wrong. While I still have VERY VERY limited movement in my left toes, I do have some function that has improved my quality of life.
I have also improved my balance while standing on just my left foot to the point that I can now put on shorts or pants without having to balance against anything. This is huge! I used to be able to balance on just my left leg for about 2-3 seconds. I can now regularly hold my balance for 6-10 seconds.
Today, I was discharged from PT after 11 months. I am so thankful for all of the amazing PTs at NovaCare Rehab. I am proud of myself for my commitment to work hard in each session and the goals that I have accomplished. Thankfully, I found an inclusive gym in the area with personal trainers that specialize in working with people with physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy. I’m looking forward to continuing my progress and gaining confidence in exercising again.
a-symmetry 