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Chapter 15: Why the Zebra?

Updated: Jan 21, 2019

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade right? Things were a bit all over the place in the Wucherpfennig household in the last month. Well, we have made lemonade, lemon meringue cake, gin and tonic, lemon muffins, lemon curd etc. lol. We just have to roll with the punches and believe there is a bigger picture. Fear or faith, right? All of us go through seasons but never will a season last forever.


It has been a busy 2 weeks with lots of head-scratching going on. I will not dare say I know a lot about social media, but what I will say, is that it is one hell of a learning curve! I am pleased to announce that my Facebook page Zebra at Altitude is up and running. Whilst my Facebook page is launched and the blog is doing well, there is every chance that the odd mistake will be encountered. I appreciate your patience and feedback. Some of you may have liked Zebra at Altitude already and I am grateful, if not see the link below. Little did I know that a challenge like this can very quickly turn into a full-time job.


You may have notice that I have a snazzy logo! Renata van der Walt, thank you for your time and patience. You are a gem- a very creative gem.


Why the zebra…?


For years medical professionals have been taught to rule out the most common causes of disease first before moving on to more rare conditions. The reason for this is some standard symptoms of a common, treatable condition might also match up with those of a rarer, more severe or even incurable condition. I think we all know this all too well — just look up the symptoms of the common cold online and suddenly you’re “dying” from a dreadful and rare condition. More often than not, this quick online diagnosis, is just plain wrong. Diagnostics can be tricky due to the huge overlap of symptoms from condition to condition.


In order to avoid leaping to extremes or jumping to conclusions while they navigate through these symptoms, doctors have been taught to go with the obvious. When working with a patient, they must first cross off all of the more common causes before making their way to rare disease.

Doctors use a metaphor to guide them: “When you hear hooves, think horse not zebra.”


The problem with this approach is even though it helps the majority of patients, those with rare or under diagnosed conditions tend to fall through the cracks. And those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome definitely have. Common things are common, except when they are not. People with EDS usually search for their diagnosis for years and years. People who had to wait for decades to finally figure out the name of the condition that completely changed their lives.


A zebra is much different from a horse, so by the time people with EDS start to take off all of the horse masks that were added by (hopefully) well-intentioned doctors, sufferers end up proud of their stripes. Finally knowing. Finally having a name. Finally having a support group. Finally having validation.


As I’ll be hiking toward Everest Base Camp to follow my dream and to challenge myself, I want to use the opportunity to raise awareness and support for Ehlers Danlos Support UK. Nobody should be left to fight on their own. Every person with EDS and the people affected by it, should have access to the appropriate medical services, care and support. Ehlers Danlos Support UK is an amazing charity who support those affected and suffers difficulty on a daily basis. 


I would appreciate it greatly if you could share my blog and Zebra at Altitude on your Facebook pages and with your friends. There is another way how you can get involved and help thousands of people, by donating towards Ehlers Danlos Support UK. I have set up a Justgiving page (button below). ALL the money donated will go directly to them. Please donate, your money can make a huge difference.


100% of all donations will go to Ehlers Danlos Support UK.


You may have read on my blog’s main page that my health is like a mixed bag at the moment. Every morning brings something new or different that needs attention. It is still a riddle to solve, as it is almost impossible to find doctors who are able to diagnose EDS or  offer a referral to a consultant / specialist doctor with EDS knowledge. I want to share my crazy journey with everyone to bring awareness to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.


A group of zebras is called a dazzle, so please help us and other medical zebras. Let’s dazzle together!





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