Vanessa's interview
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How did all start?
After birth, my midwife noticed my babies chest was dipping in slightly when she cried.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
7 days from birth. We had to take my daughter to a specialist in London who diagnosed her after an ultrasound.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Seeing the specialist radiologist in London was a relief. As the local hospital where I had my daughter had never seen anything like it in 30 years!
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Other people's stories online. I'm hoping to show my daughter these stories when she's older to show her that her condition is very mild & that she's not alone and whether she opts for surgery or not, her missing parts don't define her.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Not knowing what was wrong with Pearl. Then knowing & all the worry about how it will affect her in the future. There is a slight risk of scoliosis. It will be things like swimming & sunbathing when it will be more obvious. Also i worry how it will affect her confidence when it comes to things like intimate relationships.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Most people looked concerned when I tell them. But once u explain they seem to relax! She's only a baby at the mo. So I suppose we just wait & see!
What things have you stopped doing?
Nothing.
What do you think about the future?
Puberty is horrendous for girls at the best of times but knowing your breasts are going to be out of proportion unless u have surgery & that surgery u will have to wait for is going to be really tough. Plus other humans can be cruel. She's going to have to be resilient but I don't want that to stop her from doing anything or hide herself away.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Having my beautiful daughter Pearl Josephine McDonald.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I'm not affected. My daughter is & she's only a baby. So we will have to ask her that when she's older.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Lucky
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
If your the parent of a child with Poland's Syndrome. Go online, join pages that have info about the condition, read people's stories.
