Current Age: 44
Symptoms onset: Early 30s
“I would say that my story is a story of perseverance.
When I was a small child, around age 2 and a half, my parents were told that I had Glycogen Storage Disease Type 4 (GSD IV). There were only four known cases besides myself in 1977 and no one had ever lived past age 5 but somehow I went on to lead a seemingly normal life.
I even managed to graduate in 2009 from the University of Hawaii. However, I began experiencing bad dizzy and confusion spells in my early to mid-30s. This made it very difficult to complete some of my courses and I was forced to repeat a number of subjects in order to see myself through graduation. It took me just under 10 years, but I was able to attain two degrees — an ATS in Computer Animation and a BA in Cinematic and Digital Narrative Production.
I was ready to start my career working in the television and film industry, but my symptoms began to progress at a more rapid rate. I began to feel weaker. My body was not responding as it was supposed to. My energy level was low and it started taking longer and longer to walk. I would fall every now and then.
Now at 40+, I still move slowly and have occasional falls every once in a while. I feel empowered by finally having my APBD diagnosis to help others by sharing my story and encouraging people with similar symptoms to be tested. I continue to stay positive since my philosophy is to invest in wellness versus to focus on my illness. I focus on eating well and taking care of my body. I enjoy spending time with my beautiful nine-years-young daughter, and I am looking forward to the future.”
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Ronson’s story is part of the APBD Research Foundation’s, #MyAPBDstory campaign, to raise awareness and funds on Rare Disease Day, February 28, 2019.
