Hi, I'm Linfa. I have Ollier's disease, which is a condition where there is too much cartilage in my body (cartilage is the stuff in your ears and nose).
It shows up as large bumps on my fingers on my left hand and a bit on my right hand. I also have it in my legs.
Talking about it
I used to get asked a lot "why are your fingers all lumpy?", which I hated. Sometimes I ran away and cried.
Then in year three my teacher asked me if I would like to tell the class about my problem. I did and after that it was okay.
Operations
I'm very lucky as I only have a minor case but some children have to have many leg lengthening operations, or even have to have their legs amputated.
I first found I had Ollier's disease when I was playing in the garden and my mum saw swellings on my left hand. She went to the doctors and they confirmed that I had Ollier’s disease.
Recently he has said that I will have an operation when I'm an adult to have the cartilage taken out.
New friends
Sometimes I find it difficult as I have hardly any strength in my left hand but mostly I'm okay –I'm even ambidextrous! That means I'm able to use both my hands to write and cook and stuff like that.
Next year when I go to secondary school I'll be getting leather gloves as it hurts when I bounce a basketball or catch a hardball.
Hopefully I'll meet loads of new friends there who'll understand about my Ollier’s disease and will help me with stuff.
