Hi, my name is Kirsty & I was born with ABS 10th November 1975 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

I have scarring on my left index finger & missing the fingernail on my left middle finger. On my right hand, I have scarring on the index finger, & the middle finger is only up to the first knuckle with scarring. The next finger is completely missing & the little finger is up the first knuckle with a little bulbous mound.
I was born with a club foot on my left leg, which led to a massive scar up the back of my calf. My right big toe is missing, & the rest of the toes on my right foot are deformed. The 2 middle toes on my left foot are deformed also.

Being born in Christchurch in the 70's to a young mum (17), you'd think I wouldn't have much of a chance, but according to my mum, the best plastic surgeon in the country at the time, took on my case & did a fabulous job. My mum has told me that my fingers were completely webbed, & both hands were joined. He has done an amazing job & given me a second chance.

I'm 29 now, have just had my first baby, who is perfect! I live life fairly normally, although typing is a little trickier for me than most!! I did have a few problems at school, mainly other kids picking on me because none of us had ever seen anything like it! My mum told me I was special, but it does little to ease the pain when your 6 & struggling to fit in.

But now I have a great family, loving partner & to be honest I don't even really think about it. It's only when I notice someone looking at me sideways, that I remember "oh yeah, that's right, I'm special". As soon as I got over trying to hide it, life became a lot easier.

My one regret is that living in a jandal (thong, flip-flop) nation I don't have the toes to hold them on!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this

xxoo

Kirsty