Ciara Webster: Hi, my name is Ciara. In April of 2006, at the age of 16, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease known as Eosinophilic Fasciitis. At age 11, I started noticing my first symptom. My fingers seemed to have symptoms as “Trigger Finger”. Slowly it traveled to all my fingers and then my feet and ankles started getting stiff and lost a lot of range of motion. I went to multiple doctors that could not give me a diagnosis. I was active and played softball for the high school team. Towards the end of my diagnosis, the pain and stiffness consumed my entire body. I could not walk, sit up or down without help and extreme pain. I was finally admitted to the Primary Children’s Medical Center. I was there for 2 weeks getting multiple tests, different doctors wanting to hear my story, touch my body (it was very wood-like) and take pictures. The team of doctor’s believed at first it was an autoimmune disease known as Scleroderma but couldn’t confirm without a biopsy. Once the biopsy came back, they diagnosed me with Eosinophilic Fasciitis. I started IV steroids, Methotrexate, and Cyclosporine for 2 weeks. During this time I was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Sleep Apnea. I went home with steroids and the autoimmune suppressants along with insulin, blood pressure medication and a new CPAP machine. I tapered off the steroids as the autoimmune suppressants started doing their job. In 2010, I was off all medication for my disease for 6-8 months with no complications. I was able to get pregnant with my daughter during this time. I had a pretty normal pregnancy until the end where I experienced some stiffness again. After I delivered my daughter in 2011, I started a small dose of prednisone again. Unfortunately, for the next 3 years, I had to experience a “new” Rheumatologist (because my health insurance changed) that caused me more trouble in the end because of the rarity of this disease. In 2014, I was sent to a Dermatologist for some discoloration and indentation on my leg. After the new biopsy results came back, I was diagnosed with another autoimmune disease known as Linear Morphea/Scleroderma. After this diagnosis, I scheduled an appointment with my old Rheumatologist for more/better answers. She suggested I start a combination of UVA1 Phototherapy and Methotrexate, which I am currently still doing. During this time, I was also diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome, another autoimmune disease. I am struggling with deep, widespread Morphea that appears to be spreading fast. Currently, my Dermatologist and Rheumatologist are putting together a more aggressive treatment plan that I will start doing ASAP.