Kristen Bortke, Shay Cook, Brandi Davidson, Shawna Dietz, Lenae Schneider, & Jordan Taghon

Scleroderma is a disease that is considered an umbrella term.It describes chronic, autoimmune rheumatic disease where the classical symptom is connective tissue becoming hard, firm, and swollen. The skin is the most common type of high connective tissue affected. The skin is the most apparent, other parts and systems of the body are included, such as joints, muscles, and internal organs. Breaking down the Greek-originated words, “sclera” refers to “hard,” while “derma” refers to “skin.” "This condition occurs worldwide with varying frequency and affects approximately 0.8 people per 10,000 of the population in the UK with women affect five times as often as men" (Wilson & Vincent, 2006, pg.805). 

 

For real life stories of individuals who live with Scleroderma please click here http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SAW_ViewAllStories