[erschopft]

2 years ago I was first diagnosed with kidney disease. I am now 24 years old and have spent more time in hospitals then most people do in a life time. It has been a constant struggle to maintain my morale because they are constantly sending me around to different specialists and testing for a 1000 different things. The first thing they ask is what the family history is; and, of course, I don’t have one. If I had a comprehensive family history it would spare me a great deal of despair and time, but alas, Ohio keeps any valuable information under lock and key. I did receive a document explaining family medical history truly vague and only reflecting the mother’s side of the family. It has proved to be completely useless. My renin level was over 200 at last check (the normal range is less the 1/20th of that) and I am up for another CT scan... more tests... all because I'm not allowed to know my birth family. The emotional issues that come with being adopted are many, but it makes me very sick to think that the government I pay so much money to is holding information that could save my livelihood if not my life for no apparent reason.