My name is Annette. I was diagnosed in 1985 with Raynaud's and Scleroderma.

At first I noticed problems with my fingers. I wasn't able to make a fist nor was I able to completely straighten my fingers. I didn't think anything of it since arthritis runs in my mother's family.

I was going to vo-tech for food prep. since I wanted to become a chef. While cleaning out a freezer in school I got frostbite. As a result of the frostbite the tip of one finger developed an ulcer. My doctor diagnosed me as having Raynaud's phenom. I was also getting dark patches of skin on different areas of my body. My doctor ordered blood tests. One thing they found was that my blood count was seriously low, they also found something else they didn't recognize in my blood. My family doctor called in a dermatologist to try to heal the ulcer on my fingertip. He recommended calling in a rheumatologist. After reading the results of my blood tests the rheumatologist checked my cuticles and realized what was wrong. I had Scleroderma. He ran numerous tests to see how advanced it was. It was determined that my lungs and other internal organs were affected. I was given the information brochure that the Arthritis Foundation had printed up at the time. Needless to say, at 16, I was scared out of my mind. School was a challenge. I wasn't able to hold a pencil very well or long. I had to take my tests orally, and some of the students and teachers started treating me like a freak. I was ready to quit school, but I figured if nothing else I wanted my diploma.

After I graduated I was just waiting to die. A very good friend decided she wasn't going to let me will myself to die and made me want to live again. I had lost a lot of my mobility. I had less that 25% use of my legs and was barely able to walk.

My doctors at first prescribed all kinds of medications. I wasn't able to eat much since swallowing was difficult plus I was always full from my meds. The doctors were always trying new medications on me. I finally got fed up with being sick from new pills, so I stopped taking everything.

My condition has improved considerably. The skin on my face has loosened up considerably. Through a lot of perseverance and pure bull-headedness and a lot of pain I have more than 90% use of my legs now. I've had three operations on my hands to uncurl my fingers, and increase movement. I still get tired easily but refuse to give up. I now live a very active lifestyle and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

I have God and all my family and friends to thank for the improvements in my health.

I hope my story can help someone who has Scleroderma or knows someone with Scleroderma. If you would like to contact me my e-mail address is enclosed.