Ella-Louise Gilbert – UK

Hi, my name is Ella! I am 22 years old and I live in the United Kingdom, but I was born and raised in Belgium.

I was diagnosed with Cystinuria when I was just 5 years old and I’ve had 11 surgeries and counting.

Growing up and attending school with a disease is very difficult at times. Luckily there was a 6 year gap where I had no surgeries because I had teachers in elementary school who reminded me and encouraged me to drink.

The students however weren’t as forgiving/nice. My fellow students never understood what I had to go through and because they didn’t understand they bullied me at times.

Recently I have been having more difficulties than usually. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the hospital which currently makes it impossible to work right now. Things get stressful at times.

But luckily I have art to get me through it. I love drawing and painting in my free time. It brings my mind at peace and really makes me feel fulfilled.

I also have a really supportive family and an extremely supportive boyfriend which I’m incredibly grateful for.
I am also so glad that I am part of the Cystinuria group on facebook, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone.

I take it day by day because at the end of it all life is worth living because life is so precious!

And you must not forget this most important saying of them all:

“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.”