Hi! My name is Kendra. I'm 15 and have had Post-Viral Dysautonomia for about three years. I got a flu-like bug in Dec. '99 and two more following. My health continued to disintegrate after that. My doctor at the time said that it was all in my head and sent me to a psychiatrist. We left that doctor and went with a different one. It was obvious that the next doctor didn't believe I had an illness. She told me to get more exercise. Because of parent support groups, we decided to go see Dr. Charles Lapp in North Carolina. He diagnosed me, and helped me get a little better. I was relieved to hear that a large percentage of people who get this in their teens go into remission by their early twenties.

     All of my friends have always been extremely understanding, and I've never experienced otherwise. School is something I have always liked, and I do it whenever I can. (even when we're in the waiting room to go see a doctor!)

     I've always liked music. I can remember clunking on the piano when I was little. I started taking lessons when we moved out here (five years ago), and went until a year or so ago, because my teacher had taught me all he could. So now I can clunk a little better. I can play for a half-hour or so before I fatigue. I also enjoy art, and I took lessons for about three years. I love drawing and coloring pictures and I usually do that for a couple of hours. I'm feeling better now than when I first got sick and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. I felt that the most important thing in my feeling better was having a positive attitude. My family and friends have been great supporters, and I know that without them I wouldn't have improved. God has really blessed me by allowing me to see lessons I'd completely miss if I were well. There really is a silver lining behind every dark cloud!