Valerie
Two weeks after her 15th birthday Valerie noticed a painful swelling on her right side below her ribcage while out to dinner with her mother and sister. Valerie and her mother went to SouthLake Hospital in Newmarket where blood work, x-rays, and an MRI were done. Thankfully no biopsies were performed. After staying over night Valerie was referred to Sick Kid's Hospital in Toronto where she had a bone scan done. There after a team of doctors discussed her case, one doctor spoke up and mentioned Valerie’s big toes and the fact she doesn't have a knuckle in one of her thumbs. An orthopedic doctor got in contact with a doctor in Pennsylvania, Dr. Kaplan, and quickly briefed him on Valerie's case. Four months later Valerie and her father traveled to Pennsylvania to see Dr. Kaplan. In March of 2002 Valerie was diagnosed with FOP.
In the next year or so Valerie's body rapidly started to develop bone causing limited movement in the neck, shoulders, and hips. Since then Valerie and her father have been going down to the University of Penn to see Dr. Kaplan annually. Thankfully Valerie didn't have to give up any physical activities because they were never of real interest for her.
Valerie's main support system has been her family and a few close friends. Having that support system has helped Valerie through painful flare-ups, the frustrations that come along with the limitations, and shared in the joy of finding new ways to be more independent.
For the past 2 and a half years Valerie has been living on her own in a condominium. Although FOP has restricted some of her daily activities she has not allowed it to rule her life. With a few simple gadgets around the house Valerie is able to live on her own safely. In fact she has been driving her trusty Mazda3 Sport since she was 16 years old with only a wider rear-view mirror to help with the blind spots.
The greatest achievement so far for Valerie is graduating with a Social Service Worker diploma from Seneca College and becoming a godmother to her second nephew Owen.
In the next year or so Valerie's body rapidly started to develop bone causing limited movement in the neck, shoulders, and hips. Since then Valerie and her father have been going down to the University of Penn to see Dr. Kaplan annually. Thankfully Valerie didn't have to give up any physical activities because they were never of real interest for her.
Valerie's main support system has been her family and a few close friends. Having that support system has helped Valerie through painful flare-ups, the frustrations that come along with the limitations, and shared in the joy of finding new ways to be more independent.
For the past 2 and a half years Valerie has been living on her own in a condominium. Although FOP has restricted some of her daily activities she has not allowed it to rule her life. With a few simple gadgets around the house Valerie is able to live on her own safely. In fact she has been driving her trusty Mazda3 Sport since she was 16 years old with only a wider rear-view mirror to help with the blind spots.
The greatest achievement so far for Valerie is graduating with a Social Service Worker diploma from Seneca College and becoming a godmother to her second nephew Owen.
