Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can I join military with Chira malformation?

Hi I'm new to this forum I was diagnosed with chaira malformation  when I was  8 years old  the doctor gave me a Mri it detected Spina bifda occulta Lumbar lordosis Scolosis  chaira  malformation. And.  Syringomyelia/Hydromyelia I've wanted to join the Navy since I was 4 and I'm now 16  and everyone's telling me I'm not going to make it  is there anyone on this forum that knows If This is a disqualified for the milltarry? Imscared my whole dream is going to crumble :(
14 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hey I know what it's like to have dreams crushed I was like you I also wanted to be in the navy I wanted to work on a battleship. I have always wanted to play football in high school then I learned I couldn't but I learned other things I could do like I started to play drums and learn new languages and I know it sucks but I know something good is going to happen to you because of chiari so keep your your chin up
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the answer its so much appreciated that's great that I may not have to give up my dream I hope everything goes well for you and you chairi
Helpful - 0
7489440 tn?1442008376
We have limitations to what we can do. But its still possible you could still be a paramedic. As it is a two person team. Don't give it up just yet. Who knows what will come of it. But there is away to accomplish your dreams. You don't have to do a lot of heavy lifting and especially if you have a partner that understands you. I know when I couldn't lift a dog on the table I had a partner that was willing to help me.

I have type 1. It is not fun. but I will try my best to get better so I will be able to enjoy the activities again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks very much  for the answer :)
Helpful - 0
707040 tn?1473944794
Hi,
I wanted to tell you that my son was 15 when he was diagnosed, and he was on his high school wrestling team at the time. The doctor did say he had to stop until after his surgery, which he had shortly afterwards. He was not able to go back to it right away. One doctor did clear him for it, but his symptoms came back quickly when he did.

Wrestling is really hard on the neck and back of the head where the chiari is and can lead to more problems.  So, he ended up leaving it for good. It was hard because he really, really loved the sport. But, it was best for him because it kept leading to his being in pain and not being able to do other things he wanted to do.

I know how hard it can be to make these kind of changes, but to be honest, sometimes it takes you on a different path that will have some wonderful things. But you don't know until you get there :)  Don't give up, keep thinking of the things you may want to do, explore new interests and you will find the right path for you. Good luck to you!!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm really sorry to hear this about you I send prayers to you and hope there's a light at the end of the tunnel for you  how I know is I get really bad neck pain Bad back pain Which they tell me is the Spina bifda   Oculta and chairia  and when I'm sit down for  a while my legs and feet goes numb  I've got type 2 if u don't mind what type do u have? I really wanted to be a paramedic in The navy but after hearing a answer from here  I'd be disqualified I can't be a firefighter either which was a second option and my third was to go to wrestling school and none of this will work so it's like a process of starting over any dream I ever had vanished sadly :(
Helpful - 0
7489440 tn?1442008376
Hi Paramedic22, I am studying to be a vet tech and a rad tech for chemo therapy. There are many jobs you can choice from and your still young you have many options. I see your screenname is paramedic. Do you have an interest in becoming an EMT? I had the dream of becoming a doctor but soon gave up on that option as I couldn't do the long hours.

I wasn't diagnosed until I 26 years old. But I triggered my problems when I tried to learn how to free dive when I was 15. I never knew I had any condition that would hinder me from completing my dreams. I have also been a competing champ in horse back riding for many years before this. Here recently I have been thrown off my horse and that may have caused more trouble than a little, I didn't listen to my doctor. All I knew was that competing season was coming up and I had to make sure my baby was ready to compete. But little did I know there was a family of black snakes by one of the jumping post my brother had put up and he throw me off of him. It stinks that I have to give up competing for awhile and think of a surgery and my recovery.

Its not fair that we have to give up our dreams but there is so much out there that we can do. Yes I plan to ride my horse in completion again. and I hoping to have at least one of my degrees my the end of this year providing I can handle the work load. So while you are still young enjoy the pain free life and try not to do activities that will cause symptoms to arise.

I wish I knew I had this condition when I was younger. Then maybe I wouldn't of been trying to learn how to free dive, when I already was certified to scuba dive. I could of still enjoyed my vacation to Hawaii with scuba diving. I wish I knew the activities that could trigger these awful symptoms. Now I suffer from migraines for almost three weeks along with burning sensations from my neck, pain in my right eye, dizzy spells, having the feeling of getting sick, not being able to get out of the bed, not being able to eat some days, bright lights, loud sounds, and seem to follow conversations, and cant stand to watch tv. I cant even read for a long time. Which is my favorite pass time. Here lately I had to quite my sewing and crocheting and knitting. As it seems my hands don't always work with me.

So please take precautions in what you do. Please remember you have these conditions as well as what you don't want to deal with in your life. I hope you the best of luck in everything you do in life.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Yes, I do....any contact sport would not be advisable.....sorry.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your answer I'm thinking of becoming a wrestler instead do u think this would effect my chairi?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  I would look into teaching or the arts....what other interests do you have?

Also it will depend on how your Chiari may change....so, if you can avoid doing things that might trigger  your symptoms the wider the range and variety of jobs to choose from.

I was a florist for many  years, and a mom....then I worked in a restaurant, retail store, then an office for a retail store as HR.....I also went camping and hiking much of my life....it got harder to do the older I got and not knowing what my issues were....I hope to start camping again soon.

We can be our own limitations as much as Chiari might be or even more , so be open to try new things and see what you like.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much I hope I'm fine also your such a kind and nice person thanks for that do u know any jobs someone with chaira like me can do?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi...when I was your age I did not need surgery either....then again I had no idea I had Chiari....but it can change with time...so what you do activity wise can trigger the symptoms to worsen at a faster rate.....

I always had aches and pains and considered them the result of what I did or considered them "normal" as I had always felt like that after certain activities and did not consider them a symptom....not until I learned what Chiari symptoms were and how I felt was not "normal".

I pray you will continue to not have symptoms that lead you to surgery.....and you find a new path.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for the answer I consider myself lucky I've looked at other people who's had to get surgery for Chairi but I haven't  I never ever have any symptoms so I'm really lucky
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I do not have any official info , but with what you have in addition to Chiari.....it is possible you would not be a candidate to serve.

I am sorry and I know how much this means to you as I have family that serves....but it is in your best interest to look elsewhere for a new dream.....most of us with this condition have had to face a change in our life's path..... and I am amazed at all I am learning I can do and enjoy doing that I may never have had the chance had I not had Chiari interrupt my path
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease