Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressive, or also known as FOP, is a very rare genetic bone disorder. There are only about 900 people worldwide that are currently known to have FOP. FOP reacts to trauma by created a sheet of bone over the persons joint, muscle, ligament or tendon. This essentially creates a 2nd skeleton and freezing the joints into place.
I have been affected by FOP in most of my joints. I have been lucky that I can still move my joints some, but all have extra bone around them.
When I was 4 years old I went to school like normal and without any health issues. One day I returned home and my parents noticed my left leg was not bending and I was kind of dragging it behind me. They brought me to an orthopedic who did not know what was wrong after many tests, so they brought me to another. 6 months later I was officially diagnosed with FOP after my moms coworker saw something about it on a TV program.
FOP has progressed over the years and I use a power wheelchair full time.
Amie Darnell Specht 