I'm Rachel, a 14 year old girl with OTC (Ornithine Transcarbamylase deficiency). I'm very brave about it, I've had a lot of achievements and I'm very proud of myself!
Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder. OTC affects my body's ability to get rid of ammonia, a toxic breakdown product of the body's use of protein. The accumulation of ammonia in my blood travels to vital organs in my body. Complications of OTC can include developmental delay, liver damage, brittle hair, mood swings and affect my performance at school. Having only one kidney further complicates my condition. Since my body cannot handle large amounts of nitrogen, a low-protein diet (38g/day) is essential. I also take sodium benzoate after every meal, which "mops up" excess nitrogen/ammonia.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Life's what you make it
Today I had a hard day at school, but, the delicious salad role my dad made me for lunch just made my day incredible! It was like biting a piece out of heaven, I just didn't want the salad role to finish. I deal with a very rare disorder, but it's a unique disorder. To those of you who have rare disorders, or even common disorders, you're special, the rest of the world is also special, but people like us with disorders are unique. You don't choose the body you get, or the special body chemicals that come with your body. You don't get to choose them, but you do get to make the most out of them. So, people with disorders have to do the same, except try harder, and it's totally worth it. Be smart with your body. With my OTC, I'm very smart with my body, my body has OTC, but, I'm still choosing what I want to do in my life, my body isn't choosing it for me, I'm choosing it, I'm just telling my body what I want to do. Even though I'm careful with my body, I'm still doing what I want to with my life, and you should do the same. When I first found out about my OTC, I thought to myself ''Oh my word! Now I can't do anything with my life'', but, I was absalutely wrong about that! Don't let your body make life decisions for you, well, you can let your body make life decisions for you, but then make sure your body makes the right life decision, don't give up on yourself, your life, or your body. Make the right decisions or let your body make the right decisions for you, but as I said before, make sure your body makes the right decisions. And just remember, life's what you make it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment