My name is Onajee and I am 9 years old. My mom has "SAR-COY-DOE-SIS." What a word! As long as I can remember my mom has always been sick ... I just didn't know what it was. She was always coughing and stuff and she couldn't play the games I like to play (like football and basketball) cause she would get out of breath.

See, no one knows where sarcoidosis comes from and the doctors don't know how to get rid of it either. From what I learned (from my mom), sarcoidosis causes the body to form something called GRAN-U-LO-MAS. These granulomas look like gooey balls (they can be teeny or enormous in size). As sarcoidosis moves around in the body, it creates scare tissue (this means destroying it) and blocks the function of the organs in the body (heart, lungs, eyes, liver, kidneys). It also makes the body swell up all the time (this is called persistent inflammation).

Have you ever wondered what it is or even asked your mom or dad to explain it? Well, I have and it is a real brain teaser:). Is it a virus or an infection? I even heard my mom talking about pine trees, fluorescent light bulbs (the long ones), and live chickens! I don't think she believes that stuff though. The weirdest thing about it is, it acts like other diseases! So, it even plays hide and seek from the doctor.

I know, first hand that things can get pretty scary at home when sarcoidosis is around. Here are some pointers:

1) keep your room clean and help around the house (helps to keep the stress level down .. makes them feel better - "trust me") 2) ask your parents to help give you an emergency plan in case they get sick at home; and 3) pray for your mom and dad every night.

Hey Kids! I was thinking .. if this is hard for me to understand it must be a monster for you guys too. KISSS was created to help us kids understand sarcoidosis. Remember, you are not alone and if you need someone to talk to .... email me atkisss@sarcoidosisawareness.org.

Peace Out ... and Keep Your Head Up!
 Onajee