WE STRUGGLE BUT WE DON'T QUIT - GUEST POST 2

The response from the first post in the series " We struggle but we don't quit" has been absolutely overwhelming. Today I am pleased to introduce you to someone I call my little "Cow sister". Her name is Georgia.

The Adelaide girls - Hope, Tanya, Georgia, Roxanne and a West Australian imposter - me

I first met Roxanne (Georgia's mum) in an online support group for people with Cowden's syndrome. Over the years we have become good friends and have managed to meet up a few times. Roxanne has been a great support over the years and her personal strength is amazing. Her daughter is no different! As they say, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

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My name is Georgia, I am 14 and live in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, the Southern Hemisphere, the world, the solar system, the Universe. And somewhere in this large space are people like me who are living with Cowden’s Syndrome. Less than 1% of people in South Australia have Cowden’s. I know 3 of them and 1 is my dad. I won’t explain much about Cowden’s because Suzannah is one of my ‘Cow sisters’ and she has told you lots over the years. But basically I am a 14-year-old teenager who has had 12 surgeries to remove tumours from all different parts of my body.

Not many people know that I have Cowden’s, they all just think “This is Georgia and Georgia has surgeries.” Which I’m fine with. The only people I have ever told are my two best friends whom I have known for years. They are very supportive and I am so grateful to have them by my side.

Everyone asks how I cope with Cowden’s, because I am always smiling and happy no matter what happens. The honest truth is I just look on the bright side, even if sometimes it’s so hard to find if there is one. For example in November last year I had a tumour removed from my foot which took 5 months to heal and an extra surgery to fix something that went wrong during the surgery. Yes, it still hurts every now and then but it is not as bad as the tumour pain was. This didn’t slow me down and I performed in my theatre production with a hole in the bottom of my foot.
I also live every day in the moment and I try not to worry about things ahead. I find if I worry about something like ‘what’s the doctor going to say.’ I will get very down and sad which I prefer not to be

Even though I have a rare disease I have done some amazing things in my life. I am a Girl Guide and I am working towards my Queens Guide badge (a high achievement in guiding). I am an s4s representative (Students for Students). I am also a netball coach and I play netball. I have played softball and I am a photographer. I have raised money for Jeans for Genes and I have travelled to many places in Australia with my Guide Unit and met amazing people. I have learnt a lot about leadership.

I have met many amazing people who deal with Cowden’s. When I was born the doctors told my parents that I would never walk or talk, but my mum and dad never gave up on me (it helps that my mum is a nurse). And  look at me now.

I am resilient.

GEORGIA

I am living with Cowden’s.

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There is so much to be learnt from Georgia's attitude! So glad I have my little Cow sister in my life to teach me.

Till next time...xxx
ST