Cathryn Dianne Achilles

     Hi, my name is Cathryn. I am years old. I have Ataxia-telangiectasia. If you or someone you know has AT, I would like to hear from you. Please send me an e-mail.
     I was diagnosed in May 2000 after a seven year search to find out why I wasn't growing. You can find out more about AT through the AT Children's Project.
     I am in 10th grade, I'm schooled at home where I use a computer, books on CD, and a lot of help from my amazing Mom. I am an active participant in my church youth group. I love to ride horses, write and illustrate my own stories, and sew quilts with help from my sewing teacher. My favorite thing to do with my quilts is give them away -- especially to people in need. I also enjoy watching a DVD when I get a chance! I am dependent on a wheel chair, a feeding pump, numerous therapies, and adaptive devices for my computer, but I try to keep a positive outlook on life and my mom says that I've been an inspiration to many. Please pray for my parents as they care for me.
     I have received Jesus as my Savior, and so even with AT, I want to serve Him. I have joy, peace, and I am not really afraid of the future. I know I will go to heaven to be with Him. I pray that you will know Jesus too.
                                                               Love,
                                                                  Cathryn
 Cathryn Achilles
Jim and Cathryn Achilles
This is me and my dad after I got baptized. (May 2000)

A note from Cathryn's Dad: 
     AT is a debilitating genetic disorder for which there is no cure.  Children with AT are affected in a startling variety of ways.  They experience a growing loss of voluntary motor skills.  Many are eventually dependent on wheelchairs and other mobility aids.  Their immune systems are usually compromised, and they often suffer from respiratory infections.  They have a one-in-three chance of developing cancer and are especially susceptible to leukemia and lymphoma.
      
     From an earthly perspective, things look bleak.  It's a good thing we are "not of this world."  We have total peace, even as Cathryn's abilities and immune system decline.  If you want to know more about this peace, feel free to contact me.  I would be more than happy to share with you the confidence we have through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
                                             In His love,
                                             Jim Achilles
                                             jim.achilles@gmail.com

LINKS:

Ataxia-telangiectasia



Grace Bible Church







Joni and Friends

Time-Line:

  • 1991 -- Cathryn is born.

  • 1992 -- Testing begins to find the reason that Cathryn is not growing properly.

  • 1993 -- Cathryn is diagnosed as a "Failure to Thrive."

  • 1993 - 2000 -- Regular visits to doctors and specialists fail to make a proper diagnosis.

  • 9-1999 -- Cathryn's parents notice a more dramatic and alarming decline in Cathryn's abilities.

  • 5-2000 -- Through Stanford University, Cathryn is diagnosed with AT.

  • 9-2000 -- Cathryn enjoys a shopping spree courtesy of the Bay Area Make A Wish Foundation.

  • 10-2000 -- Cathryn spends three days at the AT Clinic at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore (then tours Washington DC with her family!)

  • 12-2000 -- Cathryn begins using a walker to help her get around. Has a G-tube surgically placed in order to get liquids more safely, after learning her swallowing was greatly hampered by loss of muscle control (i.e. no more liquids by mouth).

  • 4-2001 -- The Achilles family's van is renovated to accomodate Cathryn's future wheelchair.

  • 7-2001 -- Cathryn's wheelchair arrives.




































Prayer Card
This is my first Prayer Card.
 
 
 
Prayer Card 2
This is my updated Prayer Card. If you would like to
recieve one in the mail, please e-mail me or my parents.
dachilles@charter. net
(photo taken by Janice Gillies)

Me on my trike!
This is me on my trike!
CLICK HERE to see more pictures of me and my trike!

This is me with my family in November 2005
This is me with my family in November 2005.

this is me with my brother and sister in July, 2000
This is me with my brother and sister in July, 2000.
This is me and my family January 2007
This is me and my family in January, 2007.
I used to play the harp!
I used to enjoy playing the harp.
(My harp was donated to me by Lark in the Morning music store in Mendocino, CA. Thank you!)



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