RARE DISEASE: Today's the day

We all hear about cancer, multiple sclerosis, autism, and the list goes on and on. We rarely hear about people who live with rare diseases. Some are so rare, they do not have a name to identify their final diagnoses. That is why the rare disease saying is, “When you hear hoof beats, think of horses not zebras.” It is hard to believe that rare diseases affect 30 million Americans. That staggering number means that one out of 10 individuals is affected.

It is a real struggle living with a rare disease, I would know, as I live with one. Due to my rare disease, I have developed bilateral drop foot. Drop foot is when you have little to no movement from your knees down. It has slowed me down, but it has made me a stronger individual. A few things I have learned through my own personal journey are, you do not have to look sick to be sick, and just because I am smiling now does not mean I did not spend the morning in tears. I cannot stress enough the importance of treating others how you would like to be treated, because you do not know what fight they may be fighting.

I wanted to write this to teach others in my community more about people, like me, who deal with the daily struggle of living with a rare disease. There are not many treatments for people living with these rare diseases. Sadly, several result in death early in life due to no cure.

Please donate, and support people like me fighting the fight of our lives, on this special day. It is Rare Disease Awareness Day today, Feb. 28.

RACHAEL FETTER

Rathdrum