Reaching for Heaven
Rebecca’s Journey with Proteus Syndrome
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Proteus Syndrome, now has a new break through. Doctors have discoved the AKT1 Gene to be the variant that results in the Proteus Syndrome. To me it is an answer to why I have these malformations. To society it may be an answer to why I look like I do. To parents it is a blessing to be able to understand why their child is suffering.
God gives us obstacles that we must face daily and learn how to overcome. Some people understand this concept through their faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Others will wonder through life without understanding the true meaning of their life. Living with the Proteus Syndrome has not been easy. Your body grows to unknown lengths at the spur of the moment and keeps you from moving freely on your own. For me, once I made it to jounior high school I became bed bound and was blessed with a teacher who would home school me. I was blessed to cross the high school graduation stage; while others who suffer from Proteus Syndrome may not make it that far through life.
This life I share with you, A life full of love, laughter, family, friends and more. A life rich with God's blessings. A knowledge that you should learn about. A malformation that can occur at the spur of the moment during pregnancy. Although a gene has been identified, we still strive to understand more of why it occurs and what can be accomplished through future research.
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About the Book
Reaching for Heaven chronicles Rebecca Browder’s struggle with the Proteus syndrome, a condition that involves atypical growth of the bones, skin, head, and a variety of other symptoms. Rebecca is dedicated to learning as much as she can and to sharing a positive outlook on life through her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She has learned to overcome overwhelming obstacles because of her malformation and medial disabilities manifested by the Proteus syndrome.
Rebecca seeks to reach out to others who may be struggling with a disability or with a challenging life. By letting people know that they are not alone, Rebecca believes she is fulfilling God’s purpose for her. She believes that God doesn’t take anything away from us to make us sad or hurt us, but rather to make us stronger so that we can reach out to others and treat them with loving kindness.
Rebecca’s story is one of strength, challenges, and the understanding that God has something better in store for her. It has been challenging for her to go from being able to walk to being bed bound, but she understands that sometimes we have to accept the hardest things in life in order to receive better things in the future. Our faith and trust in God can carry us through our difficulties.
About the Author
Rebecca Browder is a high school graduate who carries the burden of the Proteus syndrome. Rebecca’s story is the one of a rare disorder that may possibly affect fewer than five hundred individuals worldwide. This memoir shares her faith and her struggle for the last twenty-one years.