Angela

   I was diagnosed with it when I was 3 years old I am now going to be 33. I went thru alot of tests that one so little shouldn't be subject to. EEG's(brainwave tests) - you know how scary that is for a 3 year old? My mom was the most wonderful support for me. Also my brother, who is 7 years older than I am. He was old enough to be great support also. In the small town where I live we didnt have a Dermatologist, so my mother went thru hell for about 6 months 'til a local chiropractor sent us to a neurologist who did all sorts of tests and THEN told her to go to the dermatologist. We had to travel about 4 hours to get to see a skin Dr. Mom always made it a fun thing for me and my brother. After the tests, we would always go to the toy store, so the Dr. visits weren't so bad. I was never made to feel like I was sick or that I had an illness. I also went to a small school where I was friends with everyone. No one there made fun of me, but they were great support when those that did make fun of me were mean. It helped me to be a much stronger person. I look at it this way ..I am who I am and I can't change it so I have to go with it. I wear short sleeves and tank tops in the summer...why hide it?

   I was affected on my right arm, the hand being the most affected. The wrist is bent upwards towards my body. I had muscle contractions which bent it and my ring finger. It really doesn't have much movement to it. I have use of my thumb and the first 2 fingers. The ring finger was atrophied,and the pinky - well it just kindof keeps the ring finger company..*laugh*... The scleroderma also goes under my breasts and down the innerside of my left arm.   When I was 12 the dermotologist we went to wanted me to see a plastic surgeon. They wanted me to have grafting on my wrist, to make it work and they also wanted to cut my ring finger off *YIKES*. Mom and I both agreed...*NO WAY*...I was doing just fine with what I had.

   I have never taken any drugs for my scleroderma although the University of Oregon called mom and wanted to use me for a guinea pig. I am so glad mom told them to take a hike! My mother got into the natural remedies when I was just little - I still prefer the natural stuff. I feel the vitiman E I have taken all my life has given me moisture and a lot of increased flexibility. The skin on my arm was so hard I couldn't bring my arm to my body to do the Pledge of Allegence. I do take essential fatty acids in the winter.. They REALLY help with the dry itchies.

   I am active in my life. Not real athletic, but like to keep busy. I love to read, take long walks, bike, camp, fish, and cook. Anyone that comes into my life always gains weight. *Laugh* Along with all the things I do (which is everything, except for pullup's and pushup's and who wants to do those anyway..smile) I am a hairstylist. I have been doing it for going on 14 years now and not once has this "Illness" of mine ever slowed me down. I feel I am a great stylist, and I love what I do. People in the beginning of my career had their doubts, but I know what I can and cannot do. I loved doing hair and I went for it.

   I was married to a wonderful man for 11 years, he was also very supportive. We are in the process of getting a divorce but remain friends. Most people in my life don't notice it anymore, my friends nor my clients - just the new ones that dont know me. Most ask what happened so we have nice talks and they are real interested. I now have a great boyfriend that loves me for who I am and my arm has never been an issue. I told him what happened to it and he picked it up and kissed it and caressed it for me. My heart melted.

   You know we all have our things in life that we have to overcome, some being much, much more difficult than others, but I feel with the love and support of our family and friends we can make it thru ! GOD BLESS!

Take Care all...*HUGS*....Angi Angi@digisys.net

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