Melissa Martin

My name is Melissa Martin, and I have Juvenille Rhuematoid Arthritis and Turner Syndrome. I am 18 years old, and am living a very happy, mostly normal life. I have had arthritis since I was 8. I still remember the day that I found out. I was pacticing for my dance recital that was the next day. I went to bed after I had been practising for a while. The next day, I woke up and my right knee was swollen to the size of a softball. I had to stop dancing, because my knee was so big. It took the doctors years to figure out that I had arthritis. Even though I have to go to the doctor a lot, and I can't do everything that other people can, I have reminded myself that it could be worse. I could not have legs, or be paralized and not be able to walk. I also found out that I have Turner Syndrome, when I was 15. Turner Syndrome is when the chromosome that makes your body grow is either not there, or torn. My chromosome is torn. I am 4'9 and proud of it. I have learned that you need to be proud of who you are no matter what. Nobody has the right to tell you otherwise. I have be stengthened by my heavenly father, and with his help, I can get through anything.