About 25 years ago I was placed up for adoption in the state of Pennsylvania. My birth parents must have made the hardest decision of their lives in doing this, but today I thank them. For any of you who believe in a higher power, please continue to read this.

A couple of months after I had been placed with my adoptive family, my birth father added a medical note in my file telling me that his family had been part of a study on VHL at Duke University. Little did we know at that time that he would become my saving angel. Last month I started having "brain to feet" problems. After going through four doctors, I finally found someone who knew about VHL and took me under his wing. After a full MRI this week, I should know whether or not his assumption of a VHL-related growth on my spine is the cause.

Long story, short message. Even if I never get to meet this incredible man, I need to publicly thank him for being such a wonderful human being. I thank him for my life, both in June of 1973 and in April of 2000. Without his foresight in 1975 when he placed the note in my file, I would still think I was going crazy. Thank you, Dad, and I love you, whoever and wherever you are. -- Heather Ann, DOB 6-29-73, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 8:2, June 2000. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

mystory