In 1975, when I was five years old, they said I was the fourth known case of localized scleroderma in a male in the United States.

I have a deformed left foot and right hand. I have scleroderma plaques covering my left leg, stomach, chin, forehead, and lower back. I have had so many different tests done and doctors from all over the world look at me and take pictures of me, I could write a book!

There have been good times and bad times. I am thirty-two years old now, and I have a beautiful wife and four beautiful children.

All I want to say is that life will go on. I think we should do what makes us happy: pray, fish, ride motorcycles, whatever — and remember there is always someone out there who is worse off than we are.

I believe in using the power of the mind to help make dreams come true.

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Please help raise awareness of scleroderma and related illnesses by mentioning and linking to the nonprofit International Scleroderma Network at sclero.org in conversations, speeches, web sites, and publications.