Changemaker Profile

Nicola

I live with Feingold Syndrome. I suffer from the shortening of my fifth finger that curves inwards, and also have webbed toes. I was often bullied at school because of them.

I struggled as a teenager relating to friends, once you have the label of “freak” that label sticks and I became more withdrawn. Consequently, upon leaving school my mental health took a nosedive and I found it difficult to build and maintain relationships, both with friends and work colleagues.

In 2014 I became pregnant for the first time; it was at the twelve-week scan where the abnormality was picked up. I was expecting twins. Further scans revealed one of the twin’s brain was forming outside the skull and had a cleft lip and one of their feet and hand were deformed. This baby, Layla, was terminated for the safety of the other twin and me. At 26 weeks, William was born, weighing 728g. Due to being born so prematurely and having a duodenal atresia unfortunately William only survived 58 days. William and Layla are buried together.

I fell pregnant again and discovered that this baby also had a duodenal atresia. This was where I found out about Feingold syndrome. Edward was born, weighing 4Ib 4oz, a healthy enough weight to have an operation at two days old to connect his bowel. I was also tested for Feingold syndrome which came back positive for Feingold syndrome type 2, Edward has inherited Feingold syndrome type 1.