Week 4 Sarah Bofinger Series: Awareness & Empowerment

Born with Hip Dysplasia: Thriving Through Movement, Not in Spite of It

This week, I want to talk not just about hip dysplasia—but about living a whole life with it. I was born with hip dysplasia, and that shaped everything from how I moved as a kid to how I train today. It’s more than a diagnosis—it’s part of my story. And maybe, it’s part of yours too.

A Lifelong Journey: Born with Hip Dysplasia

• Diagnosed [as a baby / in early childhood] with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

• Early experiences may have included bracing, delayed walking milestones, or awkward movement patterns others didn’t understand.

• Grew up thinking “tight hips” or “joint pain” was just normal—or something to push through.

• Navigating sports with undiagnosed or poorly managed HD meant constantly adapting, even before I had the language to explain why.

Lessons From Living with It Long-Term

• Body awareness is everything: I learned to read my body’s signals early—rest, tension, fatigue—and now that’s a strength.

• Not every path looks the same: I didn’t follow the typical athlete’s arc. I’ve had to find alternative training routes and redefine success.

• Adaptability is a superpower: Modifying a swim stroke, skipping high-impact drills, or choosing smarter recovery doesn’t make you less—it makes you last longer.

Empowering Others: What I Wish I Knew Sooner

• It’s okay to say your hips hurt—even if you’ve been told it’s “normal growing pain” or “tight hip flexors.”

• You can be athletic and have a joint condition. You just need tools, not shame.

• Advocacy matters: Ask for the imaging. Ask for the specialist. Your body deserves answers.

From Diagnosis to Empowerment

• Training now focuses on function, not friction—keeping joints happy while building strength.

• Hip dysplasia isn’t my limitation—it’s the lens through which I’ve built discipline, body intelligence, and resilience.

• I’m not “overcoming” it—I’m living fully with it.

Tips for Those Born with Hip Dysplasia

• Own your history: It’s part of your resilience—not a flaw in your story.

• Stay proactive: Regular check-ins with movement professionals, and yourself.

• Focus on your lane: Comparison is irrelevant. Success is what allows you to move well and live well.

 Final Thought

Being born with hip dysplasia didn’t stop me. It shaped me.

And maybe you’re not broken. Maybe you’re just built different—and learning how to move in a way that honors that is the most powerful thing you’ll ever do.

  Want to share your story? Tag #BornWithHD or message @mergoddess11. Your voice matters.