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I have a rare genetic skin condition called "epidermolysis bullosa", though its full name is "autosomal recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, generalized otherintermediate". This condition means that when my skin is damaged, it heals incompletely leaving it weakened. This is not the classic scar tissue that occurs after deep wounds, but thinner skin that lacks flexibility and is damaged easily. Each time an area is damaged, the new skin is weaker than before. If we break down the full name, it gives a little insight into the condition:
* '''Epidermolysis Bullosa'''. (EB) is an umbrella term for genetic skin problems that have blistering as a symptom. The term "Epidermolysis Bullosa" is Latin for 'blistering skin".
* '''Dystrophic'''. Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB) There are three major categories of Epidermolysis Bullosa, and "dystrophic" is the type that results in weakened tissue. The other two categories are "simplex" and "junctional".
* '''Recessive'''. Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB). Generally, recessive genetic conditions are more serious than dominant, and Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa can be quite horrific.
* '''Generalized other'''Intermediate. This is the less serious of the two categories of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. There is also a 'generalized severe' variant that is crippling, with a life expectancy in the 30s.** Under the previous classification, "Generalized OtherIntermediate" was called Non-Hallopeau-Siemens (non-HS RDEB), but this was changed under a reclassification in 2008 (The classification of inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB): Report of the Third International Consensus Meeting on Diagnosis and Classification of EB)
* '''Autosomal'''. A genetic term meaning the gene is not on the sex chromosome.
[[File:MyLifeInHisPaws.jpg|center|thumb|200px|My sister Wendy's book, book [http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Life-His-Paws-Story/dp/1473635675 My Life In His Paws].]]