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Jessica: Morphea

I have always been an ill child: eczema, asthma, hay fever and loads of allergies! However, in May this year I noticed something like a bruise on my left knee. I just presumed I had bashed it or something but when it was still there after a few weeks, I began to get worried.

I showed it to my mum and she took me to my general practitioner (GP). My GP was clueless about what it was and I was referred to a dermatologist at the nearest hospital. They took a biopsy and found that it was morphea.

I have now been told that I will be receiving light treatment at a hospital which is a two hour drive from my home twice a week for three months and I will be missing a lot of school.

It may sound funny but, as this is such an important year at school, I do not want to miss a lot of school. But I know I will not let this morphea stop me. I am going to continue living life to the full like any other twelve-year-old girl.

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ISN Artist: Sherrill Knaggs (In Loving Memory)

Sherrill Knaggs, ISN Artist, created the digital photo to illustrate the story on this page. Sherrill lived in New Zealand. Her story was featured in ISN's book, Voices of Scleroderma Volume 2.

ISN Story Editor: Judith Thompson Devlin

Judith Thompson Devlin is the ISN Story Editor for this story. She is also lead editor of the ISN's wonderful Voices of Scleroderma book series!

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