SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – One Summerville High School student has taken advantage of what life has dealt him and achieved something doctors said was impossible.
16-year-old Grace Woodall was born with Sacral Involution Syndrome. Also known as Sacral Agenesis, Sacral Involution Syndrome is an extremely rare condition that affects only 1-3 per 100,000 births. The condition affects the development of the lower half of the spine and lower body, and can cause several other complications.
Born with eight missing vertebrae in her spine, Woodall was given a list of things she would never be able to do, including walking, crawling and sitting, but she has overcome all the obstacles on her own.
Grace Woodall, 16, was born with caudal regression syndrome. (Jeremy Woodall)
“I’m doing everything they told me I couldn’t do,” Woodall said.
Woodall’s grandmother, Marty Jenkins, was there to watch.
“She got up. She walked. She crawled. She did everything,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said Woodall did all of this on his own.
Now, at just 16 years old, Woodall has not only beaten all the odds, but is on track to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree and is also a published author.
This year, she published a children’s book, inspired by her 11-year-old brother’s struggles with anger. She wrote the book as a school project to help other kids who struggle with anger find healthy ways to cope.
But this book became more than just a school assignment.
Woodall ended up publishing a book called “Jamie’s Terrible Rage,” which is now available to buy online, and she plans to use the proceeds to pay for her university education.
Woodall said she didn’t have the chance to do all the things other kids did while growing up, so she focused all her energy on her studies. She plans to continue writing and one day attend college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I think she’s a great kid and a great person and I think she’s done everything they told her she could never do and then some,” Jenkins said. “She’ll do anything she wants to do.”
While many agree that Woodall’s story of perseverance is inspiring, she hasn’t always received positive reactions from those around her, and Woodall says she has experienced a lot of hostility throughout her life because of her disability.
“When I walk past people say, ‘poor thing,’ or make car noises,” Woodall said. “There’s nothing different about me than I’m in a wheelchair, and that’s it.”
She stresses that she wants to be known for her writings, not her disability; caudal regression syndrome is just a part of her, it doesn’t define her.
“Having a disability doesn’t change who I am. I just live my life and feel that it’s normal, just like everyone else,” Woodall said.
Jenkins said this has been a theme throughout Woodall’s life – she is very proud of her granddaughter and says the name is perfect for her because she is the epitome of grace.
“We don’t want her to feel different, because she’s just Grace,” Jenkins said.
Woodall, as always, won’t give in to anyone or anything. She overcomes, conquers, and isn’t fazed by what others say. Her only hope is that her story will inspire others to do the same. She wants others who may be going through something similar to know that they can do anything if they put their mind to it. She wants to inspire people to follow their dreams, write their books, and not let anyone stop them from doing what they love.
Grace Woodall, 16, was born with caudal regression syndrome. (Jeremy Woodall)
“I want people to know that you can overcome any challenge. You have a better chance of success than someone who makes fun of you or is rude to you,” Woodall said.
Woodall is living proof that people can do anything if they put their mind to it, even when it feels like the world is against them.
Grace Woodall, 16, was born with caudal regression syndrome. (Jeremy Woodall)
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