I'm Kim's mom, Renee. I am a Vice President of American Operations Corporation, a marketing and proposal development firm in McLean, Virginia. I started off my career in the Army as a Medic (basically what is equivalent to a licensed practical nurse). When Kimmy was diagnosed in 1989 I decided to switch careers because I didn't want to be a nurse at home and at work. It was too much stress. One of the most common questions I am asked about Kimmy is how my husband (James) and I handle things. This question seems harder to answer than it really is. We trust in the Lord, God our father. Through the years with Kimmy we have been through lots of ups and downs. Sometimes she is doing great and other times, well, shes not. We have taught Kimmy to have a very strong will to live and to be a fighter. I think anyone who meets her sees that in her right away.

This Is Mommy And I Last Year

We have always taught her that the only limits she has for activities are the limits that she sets for herself. I think that is what amazes people about her, because even when her airway is not great, she is out there trying.

One of the other questions I am ask all the time is how Kimmy got the disease. Well, Kimmy got the disease from me at birth. When Kimmy was born I had condyloma. Both RRP and condyloma are caused by the human papilloma virus. I had been diagnosed with condyloma when I was about three months pregnant and had active lesions, which are similar to the lesions Kimmy gets in her throat, but these where within the birth canal, in the paraneal area, and on my cervix. They followed me during my pregnancy with Kimmy and told me not to worry, that there was no risk to her. They told me that I would have to have surgery after she was born. When Kimmy was born she contracted the human papilloma virus in the birth canal and therefore developed RRP.

Well, they were wrong. There was a risk to Kimmy, although it was small. After Kimmy was born she started having symptoms within a few months. We had her at the doctor all the time and were told that she had ear infections, chronic mono, chronic strep throat, etc. They were reaching for straws because they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Finally, when Kimmy was 2 years old, I had had enough. We were stationed in Germany and I decided to bring her back to the States and get a second opinion outside the military. Our family pediatrician figured out what it was on the spot and had us go to an ENT immediately to get it confirmed.

Since then we successfully sued Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Kimberly's name based on informed concent issues. One of the main reasons that we followed through with the law suit was to make a point that parents have the right to know if there is a risk and to make a choice. No matter how small the risk is they should be able to make an informed decision.

I try to stay up-to-date within the RRP community and help others within the community when I can. I find that being able to share with other parents who are going through the same things helps both of us.

I always refer back to one of my favorate songs when things seem to get tough -- I just keep trusting my lord.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27