I have lived with linear scleroderma since 1999. I was eighteen when I was first diagnosed and I was unaware of what I was in for. Being from a small city in Texas was even harder because at the time I was the only case and there was little information on linear scleroderma.

It was February 5,1999, when I first noticed the discoloration in my leg and how stiff my skin was. I went to the emergency room and was unable to receive a diagnosis.

Finally in April of 1999 a biopsy was conducted and I was diagnosed with linear scleroderma. I later moved to Pennsylvania with my brother to look into going to school, but my leg seemed to get worse.

I was then taken to a rheumatologist who started me on Methotrexate injections which later changed to pill form when I was referred to Dr. Alan Friedman in Houston, Texas.

I have lived with scleroderma for the past eight years and I have been off of Methotrexate for the past two years. Little by little pigmentation is coming back into my leg and there are times I still feel joint pain but I have gotten through it.