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Words of Hope
By Antonella Ferreira as told to Sondria Hall
Hi! My name is Antonella Ferreira and I am 12 years old. I just started middle school and live in Southaven, Mississippi. One of my favorite things to do is write. I’m proud to say I’ve kept a journal since the 5th grade. Writing helps me a lot because I have scleroderma, and writing about how I feel makes me feel better.
I was four years old when I was diagnosed with scleroderma. I really can’t remember life before I had the disease. Now that I’m older, I can see that I am different from other kids my age. Linear scleroderma has caused problems in my right leg and foot, so I can’t walk as well as other kids my age. It has also affected the right side of my face and arm. But I am used to a lot of these effects. I’ve learned to deal with them so scleroderma does not take over my life.
My scleroderma makes me modify my activities, but it does not stop me from doing them. I still am able to enjoy the same things as other kids my age. I love to hang out with my friends, go shopping, and listen to music by Hannah Montana! Whenever kids at school ask me about my face or my leg, I tell them about the disease so they don’t have to be afraid.
I also attend a local support group each month to meet others living with the disease. I am the youngest member there, but I still like everyone I meet because they are so friendly and helpful. My mom and dad are also very supportive of me. They have always been there and told me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
I hope someday when I am older, I can become a writer and share my stories with people all over the world. Speaking out about scleroderma is important to me, and sharing my experiences with the disease helps others to understand why it is so important that we all come together to develop a cure. Who knows, maybe when I grow up, I will be one of the first writers to write a story about a cure for scleroderma! |
