NEVER ASSUME YOU ARE "NORMAL".

I thought I knew everything about myself until the day I applied for a passport.

Fingerprints are a requirement for any passport. It was only when technician after technician kept trying to fingerprint me---all frustrated over the same results---that I learned I didn’t have fingerprints.

After a series of tests…medical doctors finally diagnosed me with an extremely rare disease called Adermatoglyphia. The disease’s defining symptom: any person affected by the disease has no fingerprints. The disease doesn’t cause pain or chronic illness, but is considered, incurable. There are only four known extended families—worldwide--- who are affected by Adermatoglyphia.  And, of course, there’s me.

When my diagnosis was delivered by a distinguished board of medical doctors in Houston, Texas, they all agreed I was born with the disease. Several fingertips show a few tiny wrinkles but no prints. For the most part….every tip is round and smooth.

I’ve had multiple tests, screenings, exams, and been told that not only am I missing fingerprints…..I also lack toe prints.  Without finger or toe prints, my identity can’t be placed in any data bank. Sounds like I may have chosen the wrong profession.   Apparently, I have all the makings of a great bank robber.  Without fingerprints---I could be a professional "catch me-if-you-can" thief.

Just think: I lived all those years...never knowing I had such a rare disease; never knowing I was such a rare oddity.

Indeed, Ignorance is Bliss.