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3 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,January 2,2020 theifp.ca If you've been good this year, save 10%*. Dates available early in the New Year! Visit Our Showroom 247 Armstrong Avenue Unit 10 GeorgetownMonday-Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. Evenings and weekends by appointment, call for a free estimate:905-873-0000 epicresurfacingsolutions.ca We also RefinishTubs, Tiles and Countertops PREBOOK YOuR DREam KitchEn PROJEct BEfORE JanuaRY 31, 2020 anD SaVE 10% RESURFACING YOUR EXISTING CABINETS CAN SAVE UP TO 75% OVER NEW Epic Refinishing Solutions (formerly Miracle Method) even if you haven't been good, mention this ad and save 10% off the quoted price. New Quotes only - Jobs must be Prebooked by January 31, 2020. Epic Resurfacing Solutions Kitchens & Bathrooms Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 The Upper Credit Humane Society wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year IS YOUR FURNACE READY FOR A NEW SEASON? SAVE 20% ON ALL REPAIRS WITH OUR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN According to the Cana- dian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD), Stephanie isn't alone. The national network reports that one in 12 Canadians has a rare disorder, and approximately three mil- lion people and their fami- lies face a debilitating dis- ease that severely impacts their lives. CORD says there are over 7,000 known rare dis- eases, and dozens more being discovered each year. While she's had poten- tial diagnoses of ailments like lupus and multiple sclerosis in the past, tests have ruled out those condi- tions, so doctors continue to treat her individual symptoms with a cocktail of medications, including low-dose chemo therapy and steroids. Watching what Ste- phanie endures with her condition is particularly challenging for close friend Valentina Cvetic as she works in the medi- cal field. "It has been extremely difficult seeing Stephanie go from a healthy, active young woman with a bright future ahead of her to a woman who has to fight to make it through ev- ery day, and who often asks me if it's worth it to continue fighting," she said. "She was going to uni- versity and enjoying hob- bies like reading and pho- tography. She always planned to have a family and travel. I feel that this disease has taken all that away from her. It has sto- len her future." The renowned obstetri- cian/gynecologist said she feels the health-care sys- tem has failed Stephanie as she was often dismissed in the early days of her symp- toms as being "too young and healthy." "It took many years un- til she found a few good doctors that took her symptoms seriously and started investigating her properly," she said. "If there is a medication or treatment that may have helped her, how much bet- ter off would she have been had they taken her serious- ly in the beginning and started the treatment soon- er?" Peter said he would also like to see more support for people with "invisible" ill- nesses like his daughter's condition. "Not everyone has a missing limb - some people are dealing with illnesses inside," he said. For now, Stephanie keeps fighting, and hoping that a doctor out there holds the answer that will end her suffering. "I don't know what's happening, and that's the most frustrating part," she said. "I want someone out there to see my story and hopefully have input on what this might be." For her support net- work, a solution can't come soon enough. "I know there are days when her pain is so bad, she would do anything to make it stop. I know there a days when she's so scared about what her future holds that it paralyzes her," said Cvetic. "Howev- er, despite all this, she keeps moving forward. She keeps fighting, and that bravery is what amazes me." NEWS Continued from page 2 DOZENS OF RARE DISEASES DISCOVERED EACH YEAR SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA