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Check this out, I will explain what it is after!

Commentary: Brittle Bone disease, how Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder affects one CSC ( college of Saint Catherine) student's life

"Heel down, foot flat, keep your big toe down, " Katie said, " You can do it, step on Chrissie's hand.... Brianna You did it!" Katie exclaimed. Just like that I had taken my first step in over a year without my ankle collapsing. It was a huge accompishment. 

I have a genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). OI s that causes a lot of problems, the latest being that my right ankle would give out to the side and literally touch the ground. After months of intense physical therapy, I had finally taken my first step without it doing so, which was why Katie and Chrissie, my physical therpists, were so  happy.  At that time, they ahd been working with me for over eight months on simply walking. It was no suprise, then, that we were ready to break out the brass band at my step foward.

OI is in a family of genetic disorders that cause an individual to produce a mutated form of the protein collagen.  Collagen makes up the connective tissue in the body, such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments. It is generally a decrease in collagen in the face that causes wrinkles.

People with OI, such as myself, have fragile bones due to imperfect formation of the bone tissue.  Other problems caused by the disorder include a blue tint to the sclera ( whites of the eyes), bone deformities, possible hearing loss, increased risk of mitral valve prolapse, increased risk of retinal detachment and possible short stature.  OI occurs in about one in every 100,00 people in the united states; it is estimated that some 20,000 people in the United States have this condition.

Although rare, OI is, to me, just something I  was brn with. It is something that causes me to do things in unique ways and something that constantly challenges me, but never something that gets int he way of my life.

All in all, my life is simillar to that of any college studet. Sometimes, OI does affect college because I may have to miss class because of a broken bone, but most of the time it really does not affect it at all. I do all the same things, but I have to them in different ways.

I have to wear braces on my ankles to prevent fractures,. At times, I have to use crutches when I walk so that I do not fall. I must wear heaing aids and use a microphone i my clases to help me overcome the hearing loss that results from OI, and I sometimes communicate in sign language.  I complete physical therapy exercises every day to keep my muscles strong. I go to classes every day, study every night, and worry about the little things. 

For me, though, every day is different and filled with suprises. I could be walking to class, trip on a stick and fall and break my arm or I could wake up one morning to find my finger has broken during the night.  With OI, both of t hese are very real scenarios. However, it is equally possible for me to have anormal day of classes and a normal night in the dorm.

Many people ask me if I would get rid of my OI if I coud, and my answer generally is no.  That's not to say I would refuse a cure for OI if they found one, but I do not wish my life were different.  My moto is and always has been that I can control my disease or I can let my disease control my life and me-I live my life in spite of my OI. I danced in high school and was captain of my high school cheerleading team.  I was in marching band and competed at the Minnesota state science fair twice, and I am going to school here to become a Physical Therapist. OI does not stop me, it just makes me live creatively.

For more information on OI, please visit the Osteogenesis Imperfecta foundations website at www.oif.org

*** So this was an editorial/commentary article that I was asked to write for my college newspaper. I have been writing for the health section of the paper all semester and my editor thought this would be a nice way to round out the year if I was into it.  Anways, I just thought I would share it with you guys, and tell you I welcome any opinions! Thanks so much and I hope you like it!

Brianna