Tedi Valentine was only a kid when he began to feel a painful cramping in his legs. “It dates back to when I was young where I can remember having a lot of difficulties walking long distances or even playing around the house. My legs would go numb and as I got older it got worse.” In 1993 Tedi began treatment with local neurosurgeon Dr. John Dusseau. “He ran some x-rays and it indicated that I had spinal stenosis which was a narrowing of the spine. The only thing left to do was to have surgery because I was at the point where I couldn’t walk anymore.” Tedi has now has four surgeries and his relationship with with Dr. Dusseau has blossomed into a friendship. “He’s a very nice outgoing man. I love him to death, he’s cool. Actually he’s like my best friend I can go and talk to him about anything he’s always there for me.” While Tedi isn’t quite able to do all of the physical activities he once enjoyed like dancing and golf, he says that’s not getting him down. “You just got to take it one day at a time and be strong you know do the best you can. I never let anything stop me. That is the bottom line. Nothing’s going to stop me.” Tedi is now dedicating his time to writing a motivational book about his life. He credits his strength to support and love from family and friends. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is the degenerative process of aging. The condition is most commonly found in people 50 years of age or older.