At the age of 2 years I had a nerve biopsy taken from my ankle;
this found that I had a neurological condition called
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). CMT is said to be a
hereditary condition. CMT causes damage to the peripheral
nerves resulting in wasting and weakness of the extremities (feet,
lower legs, hands and forearms). This so rare that only one
in every 300 million people has it.
I live with my mum and dad, I have no other siblings, I've lived
in Mosgiel (20mins out of Dunedin) all my life where I attended
primary and secondary school. I was brought up with the same
values, as anyone would have, I never felt I couldn't do
anything.
From then on, I had to get used to having constant Physio and
health care input. Ever since I could walk I had to use a
walking frame, then around 12 years this changed to crutches and
now a manual wheel chair is used continuously with use of an
electric wheel chair to further increase my independence.
At 13, I was diagnosed with Scoliosis. Scoliosis is an abnormal
curvature of the spine. I had to have a 6-hour operation and
further assistance from health care professionals.
Then at 20 years, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
I then went through chemotherapy then 3 months of treatment -
that's when canTeen became apart of my life. Cancer was the
best thing that happened to me because I became a CanTeen
member!
I then became a member of the local karate group and now I'm
doing Thai Kwando twice a week - canTeen has made this possible for
me by helping with taxi chits so I can afford to go. I have
been given opportunities that I would never have got, if I was not
in canTeen. Opportunities like camps, outings, being an Otago
Committee Member, and constant social contact with the members
every Tuesday night.
Present day - I'm enjoying going to the gym four times a week,
doing karate learning self defence skills that I would love to be
able to teach the members of canTeen.
As told by Andrew to Kate Truman - Otago member