Skip to main content

Defining Moment

Wendy Wagner sits with the three young patients who helped her identify her own diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

Listen to an audio version of this column, voiced by the author.

My parents marveled at my "adorable" foot braces to fix feet that turned inward at birth. My bendy body was recruited for the local circus because it could twist in such entertaining ways. Ribs dislocated after a car accident took 10 years to find their way back home where they belonged.

I thought, "I guess I'm just unlucky."

My right shoulder popped out during the state finals of a record-setting high school swimming competition. My left shoulder popped out during the state finals of a championship high school water polo game. On a tiny ski hill, my ACL snapped.

I thought, "I guess I'm just unlucky."

My jaw dislocated and locked up on my wedding day — how would I smile or talk? I spent time in a wheelchair during pregnancy due to a sacroiliac joint that slipped out of position. My stomach slowed to a stop once, putting me in the hospital for weeks until it woke up.

I thought, "I guess I'm just unlucky."

I couldn't stand in a line without feeling dizzy, I lost my vision when I stood up quickly, and I had constant underlying nausea. My ankles would forget how to be ankles walking down the stairs, or even walking down the street. Stitches never held, and wounds dehisced. My hands and wrists required splinting to write, type, sleep, or drive.

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.


Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.


You Might Also Like...

Article

Medicare Participation: You Have Options

Jun 25, 2025

First time enrolling in Medicare? Looking to change your participation status? This resource serves as your guide to the two types of Medicare participation

Article

APTA Champions Return of Bill to Expand Access to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Jun 24, 2025

APTA and APTA Pelvic Health are advocating to improve access to vital postpartum care, including pelvic floor physical therapy. This persistence is paying

Article

APTA Advocacy Leads to Direct Access for Millions Covered by Aetna

Jun 17, 2025

The Big Picture of Aetna’s Policy Change In response to ongoing advocacy efforts by APTA, Aetna has updated its physical therapy policy to provide unrestricted