I realized that while people may notice the challenges you are going through, what is most important to them is how you respond. ![]() The young woman then burst into tears in my arms, and I cried, too. Then she said that after hearing me, she felt like a weight had been lifted and she could genuinely smile. She started to feel like there was no hope. The young woman shared that she, too, was diagnosed with scoliosis and was going to school without her brace. Jeanette Leeĭuring one of my early talks on my private battle with scoliosis, I met a young woman who helped me realize that my battle with the disease was much bigger than me. "Being brave is not the absence of fear but the courage to face it," she says. In addition to being a champion pool player, Jeanette is a philanthropist and motivational speaker. What was considered at first a great PR move became a life-changing experience. I began to meet people with bodies shaped like mine or worse. According my manager at the time, it “was good for publicity.” The only thing I could think of was scoliosis. 1 in the world, I began to consider ways I could use my platform to make a difference. I just figured it out in less time.Īfter earning the title of No. I was accused of “not paying my dues” and only getting certain opportunities “because I was pretty.” Of course, pretty doesn’t make the balls go in, and I paid my dues. But with my success came lots of criticism. Pool is just as much a head game as it is a physical game. I had a slow back swing and a smooth follow through. My stance was aligned, balanced and had clearance. I earned the name “The Black Widow” because I lured my opponents to the table and ate them alive. I started growing my hair long to cover the scar on my back. I could no longer go back to my life without it because in pool I finally found my passion and purpose. I was willing to do whatever it took to get there.Īlthough it may sound cliche, pool became my oxygen. I pushed myself until I believed without a doubt that I would be the best. So I faked it and emulated the qualities and fundamentals I saw the in great players around me. Still emotionally scarred from my painful childhood, I had a lot of work to do on my confidence. Even after hours of practicing when I was forced to rest in bed, I mentally prepared by visualizing myself playing perfect pool. I started eating healthier, and strengthening my body. If I wanted to be the best, I had to sacrifice more. ![]() While others sat in front of the TV watching sports or reality shows or went to movies or parties, I felt like I was gaining on them. And when my back would fail me with endless bouts of pain, I figured out ways to get healthier so I could stay at the table longer. It allowed me to not care who was watching or what people thought about me. Despite intense back pain, I felt as if playing pool healed me. I would practice for up to 30 hours at a time. After watching his graceful style, I was hooked.Īfter a difficult childhood of battling scoliosis, Jeanette says she believes playing pool healed her. He took control on the table and everything about him was confident and calm. I saw an older gentleman gracefully playing pool. Until I found an escape in playing pool.Īt 18, I visited one of New York City’s trendiest pool halls. I was spiraling out of control in search of something to give me life meaning. In my teenage years, I struggled to find acceptance. In addition to having to wear an ugly brace, I was called horrible names such as “Ching Chong,” “Cholly Wong” and “Chinky” on my walks to school. It didn’t help that I was one of a few Korean children born into a predominantly black neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. My confidence was shattered, and I felt as if there wasn’t anyone I could talk to. It was rigid and contained Velcro straps that were fastened by metal rungs. Eventually I was fitted for a plastic brace that went from the base of my neck to my pelvic bone. Several times a day I was lifted up and made to walk.įor a while, I could only make it from the bed to the door. In the hospital, I was suited in an enormous heavy cast and with severe pain I was forced to sit up. No one told me the surgery was going to hurt, and I was not prepared.Īfter the surgery, I was left with a long bloody Frankenstein scar down the center of my back. Under the influence of heavy pain medications, moans were the only sounds I could muster. ![]() Through tears, I looked to my mom for comfort. I felt as if I was being burned alive from the inside out. At 12, Jeanette Lee was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent surgery to correct it.
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