Hi Christine,<br>I just found this site this
morning & saw your message. I think I can understand what
you & your daughter are going through. My daughter,
now 34, was diagnosed 18 years ago. We had asked the
Dr. about her hands changing colors etc. many times
but he just smiled, shook his head & said to come in
when it was happening. That usually was at dinner when
she was drinking ice water etc. & naturally he wasn't
available at that time.<br>Finally a dermotologist
suspected SD because of the ulcers on her finger tips & she
tested her.<br>At that time there were no support groups
in the LA area & probably no computer.<br>When I was
notified about 5 years ago that a Chapter was forming in
this area I went to the first meeting & have been
active ever since.<br>My daugher was attending Berkeley
at the time, when she came home on vacation I
suggested that she go to a meeting, she was hesitant but I
told her to take her own car & if she didn't like it
she could leave. For the first ten minutes, she sat
there & said not a word. - - Then she opened her mouth
& hasn't shut it since!!! Support groups aren't for
everyone but if you are interested I have names of 2 women
in Fresno, Amy Ryan 209-431-7759 & JoAnn Smith
209-298-8380. I think they might be the closest to you, if not
there may be more, my list is about a year
old.<br>Also, if you haven't already done so, I suggest you
call Scleroderma Foundation -800-722-HOPE & they will
be more than happy to pass any info along to
you.<br> We are having a international conference in San
Diego Aut 5, 6 & 7th. This is a great place to hear the
top doctors in SD & meet other patients &
caregivers.<br>My daughter also had a lot of problems attending
school. She had to finish High school part time, also
Santa Monica College. It took her 3 or 3 <br>1/2 years
including taking a semester off to complete her last 2
years at Berkeley but they all have special programs
for people with disabilities. She can fill you in on
that if you're interested.<br>She also has the
tightness of the skin, problems with her lungs,
gastrintestinal tract, especially the esophagus.<br>I know she
would be more than happy to talk to your daughter
either by phone or on the net if she would like. She is
older now, but she knows what it's like to have SD as a
young girl. Also if I can be of any help to you please
feel free to contact me, I'd be more than happy to
help in any way I can.