David Matheson, Committee Member and Editor of Reach Out Print E-mail

David

Everyone affected by Tuberous Sclerosis has a different story. Mine began when I was 26 years of age. I went to see my local doctor to get some marks on my skin checked out. They had been there for many years and I always thought they were some kind of scar from when I was very young. Although they were not bothering me I wanted to make sure they were nothing serious. My doctor sent me to a skin specialist and eventually I was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis. I was stunned to discover all the possible symptoms.

My diagnosis led to many tests and visits to various doctors. The message they all seemed to be giving me was that I have Tuberous Sclerosis, but it does not appear to be affecting the way anything is working. I am now aware of the possible effects, but I get on with enjoying my life and don’t spend much time worrying about symptoms that I don’t have and may never have.

I have some skin markings, but I don’t pay much attention to them. After I was diagnosed I had a CT scan, which indicated calcifications in my brain, but they do not affect the way it functions. I have never had any seizures. More recently some cysts have been found in my kidneys, but my kidney function is fine.

In 1995 I became part of the ATSS Committee. For me ATSS is like a big family, and we share our journeys together of life with Tuberous Sclerosis. ATSS provides support and encouragement to families affected by Tuberous Sclerosis, and hopefully helps them to realise that they are not alone. I am also the Editor of Reach Out and love receiving any contributions, however large or small.

Aside from ATSS I enjoy many activities. I work full-time as a school counsellor, a job that I really enjoy.

I hope that ATSS can help to make the challenges of living with Tuberous Sclerosis easier for you.

 
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