- Kallmann Syndrome
- Interviews
Joseph Green's interview
How did all start?
My sister had developed celiac disease, under advice from the doctor my immediate family had blood tests done. Mine came back with abnormal thyroid hormone levels prompting further testing to be done. The results along with my failure to start puberty and anosmia allowed for the diagnosis.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
luckily I was still in school when it came to light that my hormone levels where abnormal prompting further testing, I was officially diagnosed in the summer of 2012.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
My specialties have been the onset of my puberty.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Knowing what was causing my issues and how to manage them and knowing that I could have had it worse.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
The very real possibility that I may be unable to have my own kids and being unable to smell my nieces when they where newborn babies.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
It has not changed for me.
What things have you stopped doing?
Nothing.
What do you think about the future?
How best to manage future medication and what I will need to do to ensure my future family safety through gas detectors and monitors.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
2013-2018. Leaving school and getting to explore the world more.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Not be worried about missing medication and being able to appreciate a full range of flavour.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Like knowing I am missing out on something but can't explain what it is.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Look at the positives, even if you have congenital anosmia, those with acquired anosmia have it worse due to the loss.
