Always Hopeful Q&A with Abbey Quinn
CR: What were your first symptoms? AQ: I couldn’t make a fist really well. My dad gave me a thumb’s up one day and I couldn’t give one back. He noticed that I couldn’t make a fist all the way, so that’s how we first knew something was up. CR: What was your first reaction when you found out what scleroderma was? AQ: It was really confusing! At first, I was really worried if I was going to die. I had to take medications so I could use my hands and so they wouldn’t get worse. I even had to do physical therapy for a while. It was like the skin on my hands was really tight. You couldn’t pinch the skin on my hands because it was so tight. CR: In what ways has your life changed since you were diagnosed with scleroderma? AQ: Before I started to take medication, I didn’t take any medication. Then, all of a sudden, I had to take 11 pills every Friday night. It was really sudden and I wasn’t used to it. I also had to miss school for the physical therapy. I usually only told people I had a doctor’s appointment. I only told a few friends about what was really going on. It was kinda confusing for them. CR: What was it like telling your story in the awareness video?
CR: What did you think when you saw the final video? AQ: I really like doing drawing so it was cool that another person they talked to was an artist (James Erik Hodson). The school that I go to is a creative arts school and I had no idea they were coming to my school for another interview. I really could connect with his story. CR: What would you tell people about scleroderma if you could just tell them one thing? AQ: I was nervous at first, but realized that it gets better if you do what your doctors tell you. I ask my doctor in Ann Arbor a lot of questions and then there are some websites that are good for information, too. CR: What is your advice for another kid with scleroderma? AQ: I’ve been really fortunate of how well the medication has worked for me. I think as long as you follow your stretches or medications that your doctor gives you, it can really help a lot. There’s also hope. As bad as it may seem, if you do what you can, it can get better. |
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