My Life Story: With The World Against Me - Visitor's Story

by Kasey Noll
(United States)

From the moment I took my first breath I was already defying the expectations doctors had for me. Same with when I took my first steps, they never thought it was possible for me to do anything of the norm. I was born very different; I was born with an amniotic band wrapped around my fingers and ankle. No one else has the exact same diagnosis as me. I wake up and know each and every day that there is nothing I can do to blend, and when I first realized this it was scary. Expecting me to try to fit in completely would be like a flamingo amongst a flock of seagulls, something would always be just a little bit off. From day one my health and/or my appearance has kept me from joining the larger flock. You’d think life would get easier for the flamingo as time passed, but that’s silly. The world isn’t as accepting as one might think.

March 8th, 1991 I was born, at 12:52pm. It was at this exact moment that my battle against all normality began. I weighed 4lbs and 11oz, so they immediately snatched me away before my mom could even catch a glimpse. The doctors noticed my hand and feet deformities. Nurses ran tests to see if I was breathing properly and to their dismay I wasn’t. Soon my breathing stopped altogether along with my heartbeat, but they brought me back. Thank God. Then finally six hours after I was born they finally thought they could introduce me to the welcoming committee (my family), everyone but my mom held me because they thought she couldn’t handle my differences and that she’d go into shock, none of which happened. The doctors explained how they did the 10 fingers, 10 toes check with all newborns. I didn’t pass. Three fingers had been bound together by an amniotic band which also disfigured my left leg. This may sound horrible, but in reality the band could’ve wrapped around anything, if it had been around my neck I would’ve been killed; if it were around my arm or any other body part too tightly I could’ve lost a limb. So my mom was thankful.

This wasn’t the case with my biological father’s side of the family though; they thought I should be put up for adoption because of my situation. The news both families would receive next only made Jon’s (my ‘dad’) parents a lot more anxious to cut me out of their side of the family tree. The head doctor sat everyone down. He shook his head a few times and began to let the bad news flow. He said that I, Kasey Jean Noll, would never be able to walk, talk, use my hands, or even have normal brain functioning. The room started to spin for those few people who refused to accept me and they lashed out at my mom’s side, telling them I didn’t belong, that there was simply no hope for me, and that I wasn’t deserving of the last name Kline (their family name).

My mom’s relatives wouldn’t stand for it; they continued to embrace my life which gave me the opportunity to become as successful as I am. I can talk, we’ll start with that seeing as reading a paper doesn’t prove any of that without me telling you so. Then, I learned to walk, not so steady at first on the sides of my feet but I sure moved quick for my age. Surgery later corrected this in my toddler years. I began to experiment with the many crayons I was given at this time. Again, not too sure at first, but my abilities flourished. I won several art awards before the age of 10, and the brain functioning? I don’t think that’s even questionable with my academic awards such as letters, chemistry student of the month, and even being admitted into the President’s Education Awards Program. I’ve done so much; clearly, even with the challenges I’ve been given in this lifetime.

All this will power let me get into tennis at an early age, and I still play tennis. I meet so many different players, so shaking hands is a must and after several corrective surgeries on my body you’d think a bunch of teenagers could handle me standing readily before them. However, I’ve had many girls not shake my hand after a match. I've even heard people say over and over again that I’m not “worthy” of varsity because of my scars and my health problems. So what if I can’t run two miles straight like they can? I can play, and pretty damn well considering all I’ve been through. I received MVP and All Conference honors this year because of my commitment and growth in the sport. Also, two varsity letters are sewn onto my jacket. I love living, and it’s rather disappointing that even people who have so much in common with me can’t stand my presence. Oh well, their loss.

This year I recently had to start seeing a vascular specialist, my blood flow is off in the leg bounded by the amniotic band. It’s disappointing that there’s nothing I can do without possibly ruining the small ounce of normalcy I’ve acquired. Go through surgery again and do the whole healing process again, or deal with it while playing college tennis in Duluth? In the end I know everything will be ok with whatever lifestyle I choose. Truth be told, I am not afraid. I mean, what else could possibly happen to me? I can do whatever I set my mind to.

Physical, mental and/or emotional road blocks can pop up at any moment. If they seem too high to jump over, just poke around until you find a new path. All you have to do is keep trying until you make it.