Jacqui Facaris, 11 years old

When Jacqui (picture centred) was born 11 years ago, a mother’s intuition told Linda Facaris there was something not quite right. It was 11 months later, after repeated visits to doctors and specialists, that Jacqui was diagnosed with Metatropic dysplasia. This rare disorder could happen to anyone as neither parent carried the gene so it was a spontaneous mutation in her DNA and will forever restrict her movement.

Her bone growth is affected; she has severe curvature of the spine, pigeon chest and problems with her joints. The hospital has become Jacqui’s playground with multiple visits, operations
and doctors appointments.

For 9 years, Linda has volunteered for Jeans for Genes, earning the title ‘genie’ as do all our helpers. Her two daughters, Jacqui and her loyal sister Caitlin, have also become regular volunteers packing badge boxes, selling them but always having fun. The involvement also gives them hope. Hope that one day, maybe even by accident or coincidence, the researchers and scientists will find the cause of Jacqui’s problem.


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