At a young age, Rosalie was diagnosed with scoliosis, a disease of the spine, that could only be corrected by several back operations over an extended period of time. As if that wasn't bad enough, six months before her first operation, her father was murdered in their home one night by an intruder. Then she had to spend nine months alone in the hospital for two back operations and wasn't allowed to see her mother or brothers. In those days it was thought that it would be too painful for young patients to have to keep separating from their families, so they theorized that it was better for them not to see their families at all! So for nine long months, twelve-year old Rosalie had to lie in bed in a body cast amongst total strangers while still grieving her father's death.
Since then Rosalie has gone through numerous back operations and been involved in several back-breaking accidents and yet at age 70+ she can say that her back has been a "blessing" because of all the wonderful doctors and nurses who have entered her life, some of whom have become lifelong friends. She claims that one of her secrets to happiness has been that she focuses on all that she can still do and not on the many things that her disease keeps her from being able to do. Despite her many struggles in life, Rosalie Griesse has managed to come out a winner with an unbelievably positive attitude.

I found this while searching a site my brother had sent and found it interesting as I to was hospitalized at a young age and underwent many surgeries. The first time was for 52 weeks and I only remember seeing my Mother most of the time and that was once a week as the hospital was many miles from our home.

I'm now 56 and wonder what legacy I'll be remembered in my 70's if I make it that long. Life has not been kind and at times my bitterness won out only over the many years I've helped rather than turn away others who face this world with a handicap or other problem that society sweeps to the side.

To all have a good day and thanks for visiting. TS