Ehlers-Danlos is a complex genetic condition resulting in faulty collagen. Because of this fault, patients' joints can dislocate on a daily basis, leaving us in agony. And that is only the beginning of the catalogue of symptoms that inflict us; some, life threatening.
Early diagnosis and intervention is fundamental for long term prognosis and care, but unfortunately Ireland does not have one, qualified, appointed specialist in the whole country. This has lead to people with EDS becoming so de-conditioned, with years of no medical intervention, that they cannot work, function and sometimes cannot walk.
I was only diagnosed in my early 30's, after a life in pain -at times, extreme agony. I saw numerous specialists in various areas, spent my 20's on waiting lists. By the time of my diagnoses I had deteriorated so much that I found it very difficult to find even a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to keep me on as a patient. I am slowly clawing back parts of my life, but must pay out of my own pocket for treatment in the UK.
My story isn't special, or unique -it's a very similar story for most Irish patients. This cannot continue. People are literally being left to rot. We cannot let another generation of EDS patients go undiagnosed and untreated. Please support our campaign -Sign the petition and share on social media.
