"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure."
~Mark Twain~
Having a rare disorder, I became the albino monkey on display with my rare diagnosis at the University (teaching) hospital...elusive, alluring, a medical example for young neuros-in-training. I love to share my syndrome for the greater good, but sometimes...
Example one:
Redhead Fred, under the tutelage of my neuro maestro, is given a pop quiz involving me. I was to give him my symptoms but not share my diagnosis to see if he could figure it out.
I recited my medical history and gave him my symptoms. With the serious composure of a physician, he said, "It sounds like Stiff Person Syndrome." When I told him he was correct...
Youthful exuberance and professional respect for my suffering was forgotten as he pumped his arm in a victory punch, smiled, and exclaimed, "Yes!!" Instant bedside decorum mortified him into a subdued apology. Inwardly, I was amused. I understood. He aced the 'extra point' pop exam.
Example two:
I lost a child to a genetic neurological disorder. (There is no correlation between her illness and mine.) In another medical history recitation to another resident-in-training,' he asked me, "How does it feel to have two exotic illnesses in your family?"
Let me think hard on this...My daughter died and I am physically-challenged and disabled at 36...for life. How do I feel? Multiple choice or essay?
Obviously this guy skipped professional decorum, psyche 101, and jumped right into a 4.0 in Moronics...letter M on the white coat. Resident idiot of the year. How does it feel? Exotic?
NORD Rare Disease Day - February 28, 2009
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