In 1996 I was badly burned by by an electrical flash over in a substation and I had to undergo skin grafts to large parts of my body. After twelve months I was well enough to return to work though not in the job I had been doing. My life gradually got back to normal until I noticed my right elbow was getting very stiff. I went back to see the plastic surgeon who had done my skin grafts and various treatments were tried. These included emollients and intensive physiotherapy all to no avail.

After these treatments failed it was decided that an operation would have to be performed to release the ever stiffening elbow. I got as far as the operating theater and was given a general anesthetic. When I came to the surgeon told me he had changed his mind and had not done the operation and further tests would have to be done. I had a biopsy done which proved inconclusive and the surgeon seemed baffled.

Eventually my other elbow stiffened up and my fingers became swollen and stiff. Many months went by and the doctors seemed completely bemused by my condition. Eventually the skin of my legs became hard and shiny and I was having increasing trouble walking. Also by this time my left hand had contracted so much that I had to wear a protective piece of plastic on my palm to prevent my fingernails growing through the skin. At this point I underwent another biopsy, this time with skin from my legs. The results confirmed I had scleroderma. I also have Raynaud's along with that.

Although it is not nice to be told you have an incurable condition, I was relieved just to know they had at last found out what was wrong with me. My case was handed over to a rheumatologist and I was treated with several medications. At the time of writing this my condition has greatly improved my legs are almost normal and some of the movement has returned to my hands. Although I cannot work at the moment, my life is getting back to normal and I am starting to enjoy myself again.

I think the hardest part all this for me was not knowing what was wrong with me and I hope that for the sake of others that diagnostic techniques improve in the future.The strange thing about all this is that the areas where I had skin grafts did not go hard like the surrounding skin and remained soft and supple.

In conclusion I would like to say to fellow sufferers do not be afraid to ask for help. All my friends and family helped me in my worst times and helped me maintain a positive attitude which I still have today.