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"She's With Me" story ... facing extraordinary medical challenges. Submitted by Jeana B. Used with permission.

Everything started on May 5, 1982 when Eric was born three months prematurely.  He weighed 1 pound 6 ounces and was 13 inches long.  He made fairly normal progress as a child - started talking early (at eight months) and walking late (16 months). 

He got a blood disease from one of the 7 blood transfusion he had before coming home at ten and a half weeks old. He did eventually outgrow that.  he suffered from asthma.  He got sick very easily and had trouble getting well.  But, for the most part, his childhood was uneventful.  Most of his physical problems have developed in young adulthood. 

Now, at 26, he fights parathyroid problems, is pre-diabetic and was just diagnosed as having episodic ataxia.  Hopefully he will be seen by the Movement Disorders Clinic soon.  I'm not sure what the prognosis is.  It is so frustrating for him - he just wants to be like all his friends...