Comments on: If you Happen to Catch the Palsy

By: Kathryn Soper

Kathryn Soper — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:20:48 +0000

Brilliant, Ally.

One of my husband’s drop-dead-gorgeous former-roommates got Bell’s a few years ago. It was weird to see him in an altered state–I realized just how much, uh, *weight* I had put on his looks, and how silly that was.

He hasn’t fully recovered either.

(and i heart GC.)

By: allyson

allyson — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:19:59 +0000

I don’t think I’m so much resilient as resigned. I’m just looking to move from there to something . . . funner. More pleasant.

The palsy didn’t really bother me for the first 6 months or so because let’s face it — at 8 months pregnant with my fifth kid, to 5 months post-birth, I wasn’t feeling all that stellar-looking anyway. Also I assumed it would disappear completely. A good friend of ours had had it a year or two earlier, and recovered fully within six months, and 90% odds seemed more than ample to include me. So I treated it more as an amusing interlude. By a year, I was no longer amused. I did mourn my face (especially since the realization that recovery had stalled coincided with a return to my non-nursing AA bra size and hair that was no longer blond-by-nature — brutal combination on the ego.) I mourn it sporadically still. But I’ve also got friends losing kids and dying from cancer, lots of them this year for some reason, which has put a tweaked face into perspective. Makes it seem downright laughable, really.

By: Justine

Justine — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:45:48 +0000

I want to laugh til I feel like puking again, too. But we’re all far too grown up and serious for that, right? Allyson, I’ve seen your beautiful face, and you are blessed with a smile that shines.

And btw, I feel that way about drivers. When I’m in a bad mood, EVERYONE tries to cut me off.

By: Jennifer B.

Jennifer B. — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:38:28 +0000

I love this, Allyson! You write beautifully. I’m sure I could laugh at myself more and be a little less self-conscious. I used to be painfully insecure when I was younger. It took me a long time to figure out that not only had I been losing out on friendships, I had cheated others from the support and warmth I could have offered had I been a little less worried about myself.

By: Dalene

Dalene — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:38:21 +0000

My little sister had the Palsy when we both were children. I don’t remember anyone making fun of her. (I hope I didn’t make fun of her.) But I remember being worried over her. Now I wonder what she remembers.

Beautiful post. Thank you!

By: Heather H.

Heather H. — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:46:08 +0000

I am going to laugh more too. I just got back in touch with a high school buddy who said, “When are you coming into town again? It’s been too long since I laughed until I felt like I would puke.” It made me think that perhaps motherhood and pregnancy and being a grown-up has made me a little too serious. It’s been a while since I laughed that hard too.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:08:04 +0000

I am speechless. How can you be so resilient? I would feel cursed and hopeless if something like that happened to my face. My FACE. Amazing, inspiring. Next time I feel like whining (five minutes from now probably) I am going to read this.

By: Maralise

Maralise — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:24:56 +0000

I’m interested to know how the transition was for you– Did you grieve for your old face? Do you still?

By: cjane

cjane — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:38:09 +0000

Allyson, your luck lies in the fact that you are a beautiful person with or without the palsy. This well-written post is evidence of that.

You and George Clooney indeed!

By: Suzy

Suzy — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:51:21 +0000

One thing I have learned is that people are so busy worrying about themselves (how they look, are perceived, or their own problems) to really notice anything else. Regardless, nobody is perfect (physically or otherwise) and more laughter is always a good thing.