My Voice

This area features stories from children and teens living with scleroderma. We want to show you that you are NOT alone! If you’d like to share your scleroderma story with us, email mystory@scleroderma.org!

Abbey Quinn
Twelve-year-old Abbey Quinn has told her story before. This seventh grader from Michigan was diagnosed in 2010 with linear scleroderma, and was profiled recently, along with her parents, in a new awareness video that educates the public about the disease.

Rebekah Graff
15-year-old Rebekah Graff gives her account of visiting the Scleroderma National Conference for the first time in 2012 and meeting other kids like her with scleroderma.

Hannah Tibtani
Eighth grader Hannah Tibtani was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2011 after experiencing symptoms for a few years.

Ansley Lesley
"Voice" Editor Christina Relacion recently talked with 10-year-old Ansley Lesley of Hartsville, S.C., about living with the disease and winning the Scleroderma Foundation's first holiday greeting card art contest.

Caroline Dziel
Sixteen-year-old Caroline Dziel, of Belchertown, Mass., is just like most other high school juniors. She's a student council member, plays sports (volleyball, skiing and softball), likes hanging out with friends and loves shopping.

Brittney Berkey
Brittney Berkey was profiled in the September 2008 issue of Scleroderma Voice, shortly after she received her initial scleroderma diagnosis when she was 12.

Courtney Shatley
Hi, my name is Courtney Shatley, and I'm 14. I live in Turtle Point, Penn., and I'm an eighth grader. Some of the first symptoms of scleroderma that I noticed were major weight loss and Raynaud Phenomenon.

Ellie Brawdy
Hi, my name is Ellie Brawdy and I'm 16. I'm a junior in high school. My first symptom of scleroderma was on my right elbow. I remember being in the kitchen. I was 10 years old.

Ani Lund
Eighteen-year-old Ani Lund of Minneapolis is a senior in high school. She was diagnosed three years ago with systemic scleroderma. She also experiences Raynaud Phenomenon and juvenile arthritis. The teen, who loves to act and write, said, “I just want to have fun and be happy with whatever I’m doing.” She recently spoke with “Voice” editor Christina Relacion to open up about her scleroderma story and help other kids, teens and young adults feel less isolated.