Abbigail Strachan is an unstoppable teen. Fuelled by the faith of her family, she continues to rise above her struggle with a mysterious and debilitating illness. Her journey of pain has also inspired her to write a book in the hope that it will teach all how to be a little kinder.
For more than two years, Abby has lived in a world of pain, crippled by an illness which doctors have been stumped by. She’s had countless X-Rays, ultrasounds, MRIs and over 100 vials of blood taken. And, in November last year after a two week stay, left hospital confined to a wheelchair. No one knew if she would ever walk unaided again.
But thanks to Abby’s fighting spirit, coupled to the Strachan family’s belief in the power of prayer, the Farningham Ridge teen is showing improvement. Albeit in small doses, it’s enough to give her and her family hope of a somewhat normal future.
Driven by her struggle and gratitude for life, Abby put pen to paper and wrote a children’s story – Abby and the Wind – in which she triggers, through her own suffering, enough emotional reaction to inspire children to question their actions around their classmates. Abby says all she really wants to achieve with her book, is for people to be more patient, kind and tolerant of one another and, in particular, to those who are different or waging a war deep inside that isn’t always visible to others.
Always a lively and active child, Abby loved climbing trees with her siblings and running around and playing with her friends at school during lunch breaks. She’s also a cross country fan, enjoys playing in the Marimba band and really loves art, drama and being a part of the Scouting community as a Girl Scout.
“When I was 11, I started getting strange pains in my joints. One week it was my foot, the next it was my elbow. And then my collar bone started hurting.”
Since Abby hadn’t injured herself, this was strange for the Strachan family to wrap their heads around. She was in between doctors and specialists, with more and more tests being done, but doctors didn’t have a firm diagnosis.
Abby’s mom, Jen, says with so many auto immune diseases in the world, and new cases rising, experts continue to be baffled by why people’s immune systems turn on them. “It’s like the immune system can’t tell the difference between what’s healthy and what’s not.”
As the pain worsened, it spread to Abby’s ribs and eventually it hurt for her to even breathe.
“The doctors initially thought Abby had Lupus or Juvenile Arthritis. She was living on pain medication and using a crutch to walk, making everyday life difficult and limited.” Jen adds that at the request of her and Abby’s dad Jonathan, who were both desperate for answers and for pain relief for their daughter, Abby was put on medication to help manage her diagnosis.
“After three days Abby could walk without her crutches,” says Jen. “But after a while, it was as if she’d become immune to the medicine. She was put on different meds in the months that followed and each would have a positive effect for a while until the pain would creep back into her bones.”
Jen says eventually, Abby’s original diagnosis was dismissed and, two years after her first symptoms, she’s still undergoing tests and bloodwork. Although still not 100 percent sure of the scale of her condition, doctors have provisionally diagnosed Abby with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which causes persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and Spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine. Doctors are still searching for a more permanent answer to her suffering.
“Abby has lost weight,” says Jen. “She can’t climb trees or do cross-country or run on the playground with her friends anymore. But she’s got an incredibly positive attitude.”
For Abby, some days are easier than others.
“Sometimes I use a crutch and have to wear a wrist guard or need to be bandaged up. But I have slowly learnt to master walking with a wobble,” she says.
Prior to being home-schooled, on bad days Abby was forced to stay home from school, as the pain made walking unbearable, and she was either confined to her bed or a wheelchair.
“Not only has our young teen been forced to adapt to a life in constant physical pain, but she’s had to struggle with the frustration and heartache of some of her peers and teachers believing she isn’t really ill. They can’t see her pain, so aren’t able to understand what’s happening inside her body.”
Jen and Jonathan are not only hurting for their daughter, but also battling financially with the overwhelming costs of Abby’s medical treatment. In October they turned to crowd funding through BackaBuddy, with the hope that they may continue to get Abby the help and specialist care she needs. Abby urgently needs another MRI but, due to government hospital constraints, this is only scheduled for August 24.
“The severity of Abby’s pain impedes daily activities, and a conclusive diagnosis is still pending,” says Jen. “Regular specialist visits and specific tests are vital to tailor an effective treatment plan for her.”
Despite everything they’ve been through, the Strachans say their faith as a family has inspired them to use the Bible’s analogy of the wind to help understand the invisible thing causing Abby so much pain.
“Like the spirit, the wind is invisible. You cannot see it move or work, but we can all see the effects of what it does when it is harsh. By comparing Abby’s illness to the wind, it makes it easier for her to explain to her friends, and even to adults, that there is something creating all of this pain,” says Jen.
“If you don’t have an auto immune disease, it is very difficult to understand the challenges they come with. Every person carries the wind inside of them. Sometimes it can be a disease or an illness. Sometimes life at home can be really hard. Maybe your parents are going through a divorce, maybe someone close to you has died. It is not always easy for children to explain their feelings or open up,” says Jen.
Abby’s book, which includes a button with a picture of the wind, paves a way for children to say they are not okay, without having to explain why.
“If you’re having a bad day, put the button on. You don’t have to tell anyone why you are feeling like this but, imagine if it became a thing among people who quietly understood what the symbol of the wind means, and could share some encouragement and show you some kindness? Wouldn’t that be lovely!” states Abby.
With the help and encouragement of her mom, and talented 12-year-old friend Audrey van Gelder, who did all the illustrations in the book, Abby launched her book in December.
Funds raised from book sales will go towards Abby’s medical care. “We are also going to donate 10 per cent of every sale to other children like me,” says Abby.
Details: [email protected]
