The story of Anna
Hello!
My name is Anna and I have classical Galactosaemia. People with galactosaemia cannot process the sugar galactose in their body, due to a missing enzyme and can be toxic to the body. It occurs in 1 in 60,000 births. Some side effects of galactosaemia are cataracts, tremours, speech impediments and learning difficulties and ovarian failure in women.
I was very ill and had jaundice at day 2, and I was given a blood transfusion and milk was eliminated from my diet and I recovered well after that.
I had a good childhood at kindy, I had plenty of friends and loved my family I didn’t miss out on anything. At school I had some good friends, but I became very sad and depressed when I found out that I couldn’t have children due to ovarian failure. It affected me socially as well and wasn’t in the mood for being around others and I didn’t have anyone else that I could talk to who was in the same position as me.
I left school after year 11 to study a child care certificate course at TAFE.
The following year I went back to an adult re entry college to finish off my schooling, I made a quilt and it got selected to be in the year 12 art show!
I then went on to try study children’s services at diploma level, but I found it too difficult.
I then went back to TAFE and studied floristry, as I love to be creative. I got the certificate and completed it.
After that, I got a job at a cookie wholesaler packaging cookies. I worked there for about five years. During that time I also completed an aged care certificate course through TAFE. Also during this time, I became a member of Rotaract, a community service group where we socialise and do volunteer work.
After that I got a job at Fernwood gym as the housekeeper. I had been a member of that gym for a few years and I loved going I found it therapeutic to have some time to myself and it made me feel good as well. I did classes and cardio and weights.
I got retrenched from that job because they wanted to save some money. So I started looking for jobs everywhere. During this time, my mother was very sick with cancer and I felt sad and depressed.
I chose to do some voluntary work while in the process of finding work at Cora Barclay Centre for deaf children in the office doing office duties.
I then got another job at Resthaven nursing home where I am currently working now, I do the cleaning and give out dinner to the residents.
I am currently studying now certificate 4 in health and leisure because I would find that job very rewarding.
I have also started a galactosemia support group, where we meet every month and do social activities.
The only thing that galactosaemia has impacted on me is that I can’t have children, I love children with all my heart, but there are other options.
I choose to be grateful, thankful, blessed and happy with everything that I do have. The small things in life really do matter, as well as being around family and friends who can support you. Pets are important too!
Thank you for reading my story.
Anna Craven