Progeria+David+R

Monday: Hi I’m Nigel Jackson. I am a patient of the very rare disease call Progeria. Many of you reading this probably don’t know what that is. Well, it is characterized as overactive premature aging. This disease is found in 1 in 4 million newborns. I am starting to learn more about this disease and also what I can do to prevent it from sadly killing me. I am staying strong.

Tuesday: I’m on my way to the doctors for my daily doctor appointment. Doctor Stevenson usually checks my heart and sometimes takes my blood or gives me x-rays. When he takes my blood it hurts a lot. He says it helps in testing to help me and the many other kids with Progeria. Death in children with Progeria is usually 13 years of age but Dr. Stevenson is making great advances in Hutchinson Gilford Disease which is just another name for Progeria.

Wednesday: Today I went to school. During recess my friends were playing football and they wanted me to come over and join in. I explained to them that I couldn’t play with them because one of the symptoms of progeria is stiff joints and weak muscles. I got kind of sad because I really wanted to play and I couldn’t. After school I had to go to the dentists because my progeria gives me a small lower jaw and delayed or abnormal tooth formation. Good night to anyone who is reading this journal.

Thursday: Another day of school, today I had a spelling test it was pretty hard. I am happy my disease doesn’t affect what type of school I go to or how I perform in school. Tomorrow is my 12th birthday; I’m really excited about it. I am going to get a really big present but I don’t know what it is yet. I have been wondering why my skin looks different than other kids at my school. Also I don’t know why the other kids grow a lot of hair yet I have barely any hair. Friday: Yes it’s my birthday. I’m so excited. My family and I are going out to a restaurant and we are going to eat a huge cake, but I have to eat light because I have diminished body fat and muscle. I already opened my present, it was an iPod touch but I’m really bad at the games because I have stiff joints. I am also getting a very special operation tomorrow that will increase my life span.

Saturday: Today is the day of my operation I learned that this operation will help my heart to last longer so that I don’t have a heart attack or stroke. This operation will increase my life span from 12 years to 20. I am really excited about this i cannot wait. This will be my last daily journal wish me luck.