08 | Our Fighter
Clayton Lo
About Clayton Lo
Clayton Lo, a 42-year-old literary creator and editor, has suffered from an undiagnosed rare disease since he was 12 years old. From visual decline and oversensitivity to autoimmune disorders, this undiagnosed disease has hampered Clayton’s life for over 3 decades. For instance, Clayton would suffer from deliberating pain when others speak loudly, and he cannot use Braille text as well due to the pain it causes to his fingertips. Yet for the past decades doctors have failed to find a diagnosis or treatment for him, causing Clayton to lose faith in the healthcare system.
A History of Disappointments
Over the years Clayton has visited countless physicians yet the result is always the same-- after several tests with no diagnoses, he will be referred to a psychiatrist. In the end, either Clayton feels hopeless and gives up; or the doctor believes that there are no more medicines to prescribe and give up. Because mainstream medicine fails to treat his disease, Clayton has turned to alternative medicine such as bone-setting and chiropractic.
About Clayton's Undiagnosed Disease
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Cause
Undetermined, but suspected neurological issues involving skeletal and tendon development
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Occurrence rate
About 1 in 13 people suffer from a rare, undiagnosed condition
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Symptoms
Neurological issues such as light and noise sensitivity, hyperactive immune system disorder, joints inflammation, sore limbs especially during mornings.
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Treatment
No known treatment, though Clayton has attempting alternative medicine such as chiropractors and chinese medicine
Social Stigma
The undiagnosed status of Clayton's disease prevents him from getting the social support other disabled people usually enjoy. For instance, family and friends sometimes are skeptical of his claims and think his symptoms are subjective instead of objective problems. Even so, Clayton still strives to remain honest to himself and hopes one day he can find the root cause of his disease.
“Some doctors are willing to acknowledge my symptoms cannot be explained by our current understanding of medicine; however, this is not accepted within the government’s framework of healthcare.”
“Not only was my experience in the public healthcare system time-consuming and humiliating, it also made me recognize my marginal position in society.”