I Am Number Seventeen

Alan

I live in a very small village of 17 people, so I am that 1 person out of 17 who lives with or is affected by a rare condition.

Chloe and Ronnie

I would like to raise more awareness of the different rare conditions and make it easier for people to get diagnosed, so you don’t have to wait so long and fight for everything.

David

I have occipital horn syndrome. I call it OHS, it’s ultra-rare and I’m the only person in the UK living with it. The disease affects every aspect of my life.

Emma

I want to be part of representing disabled people, help create inclusion and diversity. I want to be a role model I wish I had when I was growing up with my disability.

Jack

After taking up swimming at the age of four, I never dreamed that I’d end up representing Team GB at the London 2012 and that it would be the best experience of my life.

June

I was diagnosed with sickle cell, a genetic blood disorder that affects the red blood cells. My loved ones are an essential part of me getting through this disease. I am one of the 17.

Karen

I have lived with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) all my life, I was born with it, and was symptomatic from about 2 years old. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t know anyone else with the same condition as me, which was rather challenging.

Lara

It would be so wonderful if I went up to someone and said I have EDS and they didn’t say ‘what’s that?’.

Lucinda and Nola

It would be brilliant if there was more awareness of rare diseases and an increase in public understanding. I used to be one of those people; I was unaware.

Mel

They thought I was okay at first, but by the time I was 6 months old I couldn’t sit up. As I got older, I got worse. I had two beautiful girls, but as soon as they were old enough, I taught them to hang on to me, rather than picking them up.

Nicola

I live with Feingold syndrome. I suffer from the shortening of my fifth finger that curves inwards, and also have webbed toes. I was often bullied at school because of them.

Prabhjot

Once you tell people that you have a rare disease, they start treating you differently. They start feeling sorry or pity for you. Although, we truly appreciate their support, that’s the last thing we (living with invisible disease) want.

Rachel

I received my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) diagnosis at the age of 21. This is the first time I’ve ever been this open. The reason I’m putting myself in this vulnerable position is so awareness increases about rare conditions.

Rebecca and Hannah

Hannah’s primary diagnosis is Inv Dup Del 8p, a rare genetic condition with only 65 known affected worldwide. She is also a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter and Nana’s Hannah. She is a cousin, a friend, a student and a teacher.

Sally

I was diagnosed at 18 months old when I started to walk, so I’ve lived with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) as long as I can remember. I always have some level of pain and stiffness; however, it can be manageable.

Shona

It is important to have as many voices out there as possible. Not one person is the same. People underestimate the value of using their own voice.

Zainab

On 28th February 2014, my son Adnan was born. Adnan was rushed to intensive care as soon as he was born. After a few weeks of multiple tests, the doctors told us he may have a rare genetic disorder called Mucolipidosis Type II.

Meet the changemakers