bounding4beans

Kristine Grooby (Beans) is an amazing Daughter, Sister, Aunty, Friend and any other title that she holds. As her brother I promise I am showing no bias. I am sure others will vouch for this statement.

Kristine is 28 years old.

Kristine started experiencing pain in her legs during 2011 while exercising. Initially her doctors thought she suffered from shin splints. Her doctors then thought she suffered from Compartment Syndrome as the pain did not subside with treatment.

In time Kristine noticed that the pain in her legs was was only getting worse. Kristine also started experiencing hearing loss, headaches and her memory began playing tricks on her.

On 16 December 2012 Kristine woke up with a bad headache and her body was in full spasm. Kristine was taken to the Emergency Department to investigate.

After months of investigation, pain and uncertainty Kristine was diagnosed with a condition called 'Hypersensitive Nerve Dysfunction'. Kristine was told that her condition was a potentially disabling one. Kristine was sure they had the wrong person.

After being diagnosed Kristine began walking with the help of crutches.

During 2013 Kristine was due to begin her fourth and final year of her nursing degree. She was not able to do this due to her health. Because of her health issues Kristine was unable to complete her nursing degree and be registered as a Nurse. This was incredibly hard for Kristine to come to terms with as she had worked very hard to follow this dream.

Kristine's mobility got worse and she began falling regularly. Falls would happen without warning so they were hard to prepare for. A fall would usually be followed by full body spasms that would take time to settle.

It was at this time that Kristine had to start walking with a walking frame. Despite this walking aid Kristine continued to have falls and spent prolonged periods of time in hospital.

In true Kristine fashion she fought the fight and found herself a job with the Laura Fergusson Trust. This job involved her working with people living with neurological and physical disabilities. Despite the fact Kristine was living a life of constant pain she grinned, beared it and did an awesome job. Kristine also got involved in wheelchair basketball and made her provincial representative team.

As time progressed Kristine's ability to walk slowly decreased. Kristine continued to have falls and experienced further injury. Kristine, in consultation with her health professional moved to a wheelchair full time in order to maintain her independence.

After multiple injuries Kristine had to give up wheel chair basketball, as it became to dangerous for her and took her too long to recover. This was really hard for Kristine to take as she loves to play sport.

During the end of 2014 Kristine began experiencing the symptoms of appendicitis. This was strange as Kristine had had her appendix removed years before. Kristine spent nearly two weeks in hospital living with those symptoms. Her Doctors thought that her brain was picking scar tissue in her body and sending signals to the brain that she had appendicitis. It was and remains a mystery as do many of Kristine's health issues.

During November 2014 Kristine had a fall and injured her shoulder. Kristine had an x-ray. Everything seemed normal except for an AC joint sprain in the shoulder. After some rehabilitation the Doctor took another x-ray. The x-ray revealed that a large part of her clavicle was no longer there. The Doctors said that the cells in her clavicle had died faster than they could repair themselves. A process called mature osteolysis. Kristine is waiting for surgery which will hopefully repair the damage. I am sure you can imagine how hard it is for someone with one working shoulder to wheel a wheel chair.

This is just a snippet of the health issues that Kristine has experienced in the last few years. The condition has affected her legs, back, hands, knees. hearing, brain messages, memory. Kristine lives her life in constant pain. Kristine's body does not heal like a typical person's would.

Anyone who knows Kristine, or has met Kristine once will likely say that she is a courageous and inspiring person. Kristine lives with an extremely trying condition. She is constantly in pain.

Despite this Kristine does not complain. Kristine continues to believe. Kristine continues to keep a positive attitude. Kristine continues to put others before herself. Kristine has a smile that lights up the room.

You might find Kristine in her wheelchair on the dance floor at a wedding, or being hoisted on to the stage at a Blacklistt concert, having a song dedicated to her, smiling from ear to ear. That is who Kristine is. She will take anything head on

Due to the deterioration in Kristine's condition she needs a new wheelchair, ear modifications and other non public funded treatments. Kristine is currently using a second hand wheelchair and desperately needs a new one suited to her specific needs. Unfortunately, wheelchairs are expensive. Around $18,000 I am told.

Any funds raised through this page will assist with the cost of Kristine purchasing a new wheelchair, general health care, treatment, medical equipment and other expenses associated with her condition.

Check out Bean's facebook page for some photos and video of Bean being Bean. www.facebook.com/bounding4beans