ME AND A-T

My profile My name Is Rachel Ferguson I am 20

My family Mum Dad This is my brother James who also has A-T Me

THERE IS NO CURE What is a-t ? A-T is short for Ataxia-Telangiectasia It is a rare genetic condition Get tired more quickly A-T is a progressive condition It can affect the immune system More likely to get chest and lung infections and a high risk of leukaemia and other cancers THERE IS NO CURE

How a-t affects me!!! When I was born I looked healthy Between 2-9 I was a bit wobbly

How a-t affects me! And when I was 10 I started to use a wheelchair

Other ways a-t affects me! Speaking is affected I can’t write much anymore Thought processes slower Vision affected Shaky hands Need help with Mealtimes Personal care

WE DO Fun stuff too!!! Go carting Ten pin bowling Trips Banquets

We also have a glee club http://youtu.be/EYhZl8v_twM

my biggest passion is……………………………. HORSE RIDING

MY 1ST RIDING COMPETitION In my 1st dressage competition I got

A couple of Years Later. . . . . . . . . I took part in a RDA funday which was separated into two competitions. The first competition I got second place The second competition I got 4th place

Regional Competition I did 3 competitions 1 was dressage 1 was countryside challenge and show jumping. I got 1st for the countryside challenge and 2nd for both the dressage and the show jumping;

National competition I qualified to do dressage and countryside challenge. But I didn’t win anything.

Me at school (Bridgnorth endowed) Got my electric wheelchair Proved to all teachers that I could do exams and get good grades Most of the TA’s were great Got my standing frame 7 GCSE’s

Me at college (TCAT) College was really good because the course I was doing was supposed to be 2 years but they extended it to 3. All the college is really accessible. The support staff are lovely and helpful!!! The tutors were really good and if I wasn’t able to do something they would change it so I could.

Me at college (tcat) Over the 3 years I’ve progressed both with work and personally I’ve become more confident with talking to people and knowing they’re probably going to understand me.. Also I’ve learnt to be more organized I achieved at the end of my course a BTEC Health and Social Care Level 3

Completing my course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally passed my course at the grade PPM after 3 long years.

How I speak My speech can be slurred especially when I’m tired. If you don’t understand me, PLEASE ASK ME TO SAY IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can be a chatterbox.

Other things I do for fun!!!

Thank you for LISTENING