My name is Mary and I am a member of DYNA. I am 10 years old and I live in Ohio. I was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope when I was 10. This is my story.

     I woke up one day in October of 2001 and I was very dizzy. I felt like I was going to pass out every time I stood up. My stomach was hurting really bad. I couldn't stop crying. Luckily, my mom knew what was wrong since she has POTS. She made an appointment for me to have a Tilt Table Test. The test showed that I had Neurocardiogenic Syncope.

     At first, I thought it would be no big deal. I thought I would be able to live my life as I always have. I thought I would be able to do all of the things I used to do. But I found out real fast that it doesn't work that way.

     I am no longer able to run and ride my bike freely. I miss doing things with my friends because I don't feel well. Most of my friends have stopped calling. Some of the kids at school don't even want to talk to me because they are afraid they will catch it. It is embarrassing to have to lie down during class or sometimes go to school in a wheelchair. Some days my chest hurts and it is hard to breathe. Some days I can barely see. It is hard to do my schoolwork because I am dizzy and my eyes hurt.

     I am only 10 and have to worry about what the weather is going to be like. I can't handle changes in temperature. I just went to Universal Studios and couldn't ride a lot of the rides because of the height of the ride or flashing lights. I now have to look for warning signs.

     I like to go and do things but most people don't understand that I have to lie down when I don't feel well. Even if that means lying down in the aisle of the grocery store. It is better than passing out and getting hurt! It is hard to explain Dysautonomia to someone. They look at me and think I look okay so nothing could be wrong. They don't understand that one-minute I could be fine and the next minute very sick.

     I spend a lot of time going to the doctor's. I have to have tests done and trying new medications. Some of the medicines I try make me sicker. I see my Dr. Phelps (family doctor), Dr Grubb (cardiologist) and Dr. Jasty (hematologist).

     My mom signed me up for the Youth Network after I got sick. It has been really nice because I can talk on the Internet with other kids who have Dysautonomia. This summer I am going to meet many of the kids at the Youth Social. It will be so nice to be around other kids who understand.