REFLECTIONS: Sonia's Patient Story

Sonia Whyte-Croasdaile led a very active and healthy life as a mother, wife, and health care professional (nurse and social worker). In 2011 things came to an abrupt halt when she experienced flu-like symptoms which rapidly developed into a rare and deadly disease called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). For six excruciating weeks Sonia fought for her life in hospital as her body was ravished with burns from the inside out. When she was finally discharged, she felt her body looked like that of an alien. She eventually learned how to exist in that new body.
During recovery, Sonia searched for community support but found none. With the help of dedicated family and friends, Stevens Johnson Syndrome Canada was founded.
Sonia’s medical odyssey remains a mystery, because to date the source of the illness remains unknown. Life has changed drastically for her, with each day a challenge.
Sonia wants those diagnosed with SJS/TEN to know that they do not have to take this journey alone. She has eagerly shared her experience through social media as a means to offer hope and support to all, because as she says: “Together YOU are stronger.”
If you would like to share your personal patient story, please contact [e-mail].
Help the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) to educate, advocate and support initiatives throughout the country to improve the health and lives of skin patients and their families by visiting canadianskin.ca.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada’s (SJS Canada) vision is to facilitate an umbrella of services for the SJS/TEN patient community in Canada, through health promotion by providing people suffering from SJS/TEN, their families, and caregivers with access to related counselling, education, support groups, and information programs. sjscanada.org

[@brendahykema7217]

Indeed it’s a sad and a lonely journey..and truth is we need the encouragement,it’s a traumatic experience to sufferSJS ,is there a way I can join the zoom monthly meeting up because I suffered from SJS a year age and I have failed to get my skin back,it’s so heart breaking