DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

A while back, I mentioned that a physician had diagnosed me with Dupuytren's contracture. A National Institutes of Health website defines the disease as a “painless thickening and contracture of tissue beneath the skin on the palm of the hand and fingers.”

Progressive contracture over years may lead to loss of hand function and deformity, thus causing disability. The condition usually is linked to epilepsy, pulmonary tuberculosis, alcoholism, diabetes or liver disease. In my case, the disease is in its infancy, and the hand discomfort I had been feeling was caused by tendinitis, not Dupuytren's contracture (DC).

Recently, an Internet reader discovered my initial column about DC and responded via email. Like me, she was a freelance writer who needed healthy hands in order to earn a living.

“I do advertising copywriting to pay the bills and journalism to feed the soul,” said 33-year-old Jessica Stone of London, England, in an email interview. “Most of my magazine and newspaper articles are about food and sport. I've contributed to The Times (London) and The New York Times, amongst others.”

Stone stuttered as a child, and writing was one means she used to communicate. She realized in college she could turn writing into a career, and now works mostly from home. Though living in London, she grew up in Florida with her parents. Her mother also has Dupuytren's contracture.

“I first discovered a bump on the sole of my left foot during a sports massage shortly after I moved to London in 2004,” said Stone, referring to Ledderhose's disease, which is the foot equivalent of DC. “After I ran a marathon in 2005, two more appeared on the right foot.”

Recently, a doctor diagnosed her with DC, too.

“DC is an ancient, yet (perplexing) disease, so it's up to you to (figure out) out all your options,” she said. “It's very easy to let DC get you down, and I'm still trying to learn ways to keep the perspective myself.”

Stone said joining an online forum for people with Dupuytren's contracture has helped her. Because DC is relatively rare, she at times had felt alone.

She said, “I've come across several women my age on the forum and we're like a mini-support group. It has been comforting and encouraging to read other people's stories and hear how they don't let DC interfere with the things they enjoy.”

Contact danieljvance.com [Blue Valley Sod and Palmer Bus Service grants made this column possible.]