Christina's Story: A Required Lifestyle

Ever since I can remember, I have had a chronic illness: Marfan's Syndrome. I was diagnosed with Marfan's when I was two-years-old and my parents noticed a "flicker" in my left eye. Marfan's Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder which most predominantly affect the valves in the heart. In my case, Marfan's Syndrome affects my heart valves, my left eye lens, and my height and weight (I am very tall and thin).

In the past and most currently, Marfan's has affected my life most because it limits me from playing all competitive sports - in other words, I can't play on any team, varsity or intramural. Living in the town I live in, not playing sports is a major bummer. Everyone plays a sport; my sister (who also has Marfan's Syndrome) and I however, are the exceptions to the rule. My heart doctor told us when I was in seventh grade that we were no longer to compete in sports because our hearts couldn't handle the stress and pressure.

At the time, this diagnosis was my kiss of death. No sports? I thought I might as well drop off the face of the earth. Fortunately, my parents didn't take the prognosis as seriously. After years of temper-tantrums and endless battles with my parents, I finally came to the conclusion that no matter how many fights I provoked, no matter how loud I wanted to scream, I would never again be able to play on a team.

So I made a decision: if I can't change the game, why not change the rules of the game? At first, I became involved

in the drama department but I never quite found my niche. Then I became involved in the student government as well as being the manager of the girls' basketball team. These are two of the best choices I have ever made.

Not a day goes by when my 6'1" height isn't brought up in a conversation. Thus, being involved with the basketball team is an answer to the routine question "Do you play basketball?". My height has also always been an issue with me. My right hip is accustomed to all of my weight bearing on it, as a result of countless attempts to conceal my height. Lately however, I have realized that I am far from being the only tall female out there - in fact, I have begun to find that I am far from alone! This discovery has not only made me happier, but also more confident.

Overall, being diagnosed with a chronic illness, along with living with one, is a hard thing to do. But I have learned and am still learning to overcome it. Not the Marfan's, unfortunately, but rather overcoming a chronic disease's way of life. My chronic illness is my biggest weakness, but also my biggest strength. After countless hours playing "What If?" mind games, I realized that this wouldn't get me anywhere.

I just need to live and take advantage of all the things I have - and not worry about the things I don't have or can't do. Chronic illnesses influences our lifestyles. However, we control them.