Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » A Portuguese man spends 43 years in a wheelchair because of a misdiagnosis. See details below. He says he harbors no ill will. Would you?

A Portuguese man spends 43 years in a wheelchair because of a misdiagnosis. See details below. He says he harbors no ill will. Would you?

At the age of 13 Rufino Borrego was diagnosed with incurable muscular dystrophy  and spent 4 decades of his life in a wheelchair. In 2010 a neurologist told him he did not have muscular dystrophy at all...he had myasthenia which causes legs to weaken but is treatable by taking asthma medication. Within a year after the correct diagnosis he was walking. He had to re-learn how. He says he just wants to get on with his life. Could you be as calm and accepting?

Posted - September 26, 2016

Responses


  • 3907

    Hello Rosie:

    Some people accept their lot in life without question.  If that makes them happy, good for them.  I, on the other hand, don't do that and I wouldn't be so forgiving..

    excon

      September 26, 2016 8:30 AM MDT
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  • 113301

    Nor would I. I couldn't believe it when I read it. Thank you for your reply excon and Happy Monday! :)

      September 26, 2016 8:55 AM MDT
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  • 5808

    I could not be calm and accepting
    I would raise a big stink

      September 26, 2016 9:13 AM MDT
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  • 5354

    I dont think he is focusing about his time in the wheel chair, But instead of how nice it is that he can live normally now.

      September 26, 2016 11:23 AM MDT
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  • 477

    I would have to try and focus on the present... I mean, if I could now walk at that age, I would try to live as much as I could before I died. It would be hard not to be bitter, but what can you do? Try to move forward... It'd be easier with legs. 

      September 26, 2016 1:00 PM MDT
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  • 113301

    Me too Baba. Ditto. Thank you for your reply! :)

      September 26, 2016 1:08 PM MDT
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  • 113301

    Clearly that is true m'dear but he lost 40+ years of having a normal life! I think that is staggering and so very sad. No amount of money can make up for that loss  but still to cause that in someone's life and get off scott-free? That seems very unfair to me. Thank you for your reply JakobA. You clearly understand this man far more than I do which means you are a much nicer person than I am!  :)

      September 26, 2016 1:11 PM MDT
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  • 113301

    It is just is so beyond understanding for me lovely. 40+ years confined to a wheelchair unnecessarily. I know that no amount of money can make up for that but why should anyone get away with it? I know it probably was due to incompetence. Shouldn't there be a price for that?  Thank you for your reply!  :)

      September 26, 2016 1:14 PM MDT
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  • 477

    Yeah, well, did his parents accept the first diagnosis and leave it at that? Did they try different doctors and different tests? Did they know better? It's hard to say without knowing the full story. But if I was him I would try my best to move on. I would definitely be exasperated with that news, but also overjoyed, knowing I could walk again... Maybe that would be enough. 

      September 26, 2016 7:19 PM MDT
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