Faith

What is your age and gender?

11

What is your liver condition?

My liver condition is called Biliary Atresia.

How old were you when you was diagnosed?

When I was 6 weeks I was diagnosed with my problem. At 7 weeks I had an operation called a Kasai and mum was told the operation had been a success.

How did you feel?

I was only a baby.

How were you told?

At 6 years old I was told about my condition, however I was too young to understand, I was then told again when I was 9 years old and from there I understood, there are still a few bits that I don't understand though.

How does it affect you?

At 4 1/2 I started doing ballet and have now moved up to doing shows with a stage school, it is hard work but I enjoy it. I also swim 1 evening a week. I used to come home after school and worry about the fact that people didn’t know about my problem, so I used to burst out in tears.

Are you on any medicines?

Yer, I have taken medication all my life but have got used it.

What are the good and bad things about having a liver condition?

Now I go to secondary school- I’m trying to control my feelings, but my class all know about my problem so I’m more comfortable at school, so I come home from school every day with a smile on my face.

Does anything worry you about having a liver condition?

I always think positive.

Have you got any messages for other young people with a liver condition?

"Life is like a rollercoaster you have your ups and down's but everything always turns out fine"

I'm also very small but I worked out “good things come in small packages"