Derrick Wolf - Spring 2008

Hello, my name is Derrick Wolf, and I am 17 years old. I was born in Cincinnati, OH. I have an older brother, Kevin, and an older sister, Sara.

For the first few years of my life, I had to go through various operations to fix complications. I believe my first surgery was putting in a trach when I was only a few days old. My most recent surgery was closing the hole in my neck from my trach. So, yes, I finally got my trach out on August 7, 2006.

I would tell you what type of syndrome I have, but I don’t even know anymore. I was classified as having Miller syndrome, but at my last craniofacial team meeting, my genetics doctor told me I have a whole new unknown syndrome. I am basically my own syndrome! It is really cool! My doctor is even writing an article about me for a medical journal.

I am currently a junior at Oak Hills High School, although I’ll be a senior in just a few months! I am looking at different colleges to apply for, to get the whole college experience. I would like to go into computer graphics, or visual communication design, because I am a very artistic person and really good on computers.

Another plus for going to college is finally being able to live on my own away from home. With both my brother and sister away at college, I am the only child at my house and I love it! No fighting over who gets the computer or the television. It’s just me and my parents.

I am in the workforce now and I love my job. I work at Best Buy as a customer service specialist, or cashier, for short. (I just like the fancier name better because it makes the job seem more important.)

Now you might think it would be hard to work and go to school at the same time. I work mostly on weekends and maybe two or three times during the week. I am good with balancing out my schoolwork with work.

I am on the honor roll at school and it just feels like such an accomplishment when I get good grades. Along with getting good grades in school I am also involved with many things as well, such as student council, Key Club, Spanish Club and even the yearbook. The list goes on, but I can’t mention them all for you because it is just way too much.

Now I know that I look different than all my friends, but I do all the same things they do. I don’t let anything hold me back.

I am different even from the kids who have similar types of syndromes because of my arms and hands and because I have prosthetic lower legs. Even though I have prosthetic legs, I don’t let it hold me back, because to me they are like my real legs, except it doesn’t hurt if something hits them. They are heavier, but you get used to it after awhile.

I can ride a bike, swim, play soccer, hang out with friends, oh, and I can even drive! I have had my license for more than a year already, and I have never gotten any tickets or had any accidents, knock on wood. People always ask if it is hard for me to drive and I just smile and say, “Nope it’s easy!” Just because we look different doesn’t mean we can’t push a pedal and steer left or right.

After reading this I am sure you can tell I don’t like it when people judge me on my looks as to what I can or cannot do. If people think or say I can’t do something I love to go out and do it just to prove them wrong.

Now, there are times where I lay in bed and wonder what my life would be like if I looked like everyone else, but overall I am glad to be different because I have a different story to tell.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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