A Whitehills badminton player with an extremely rare medical condition admits her gold-medal treble at the Scottish National Badminton Championship has left her “over the moon” – and helped her cope with a recent diagnosis.
Thirty-three-year-old Diane Gillan has revealed she has been diagnosed with hand-foot-genital syndrome (HFGS), a condition that affects the hands and feet and the reproductive system.
Only a few cases have been reported worldwide and Diane has been told she is the only current case in the UK.
Diane, who also has autism and a chromosome deficiency, says the recent health problems – which mean she may be unable to bear children – have been difficult to come to terms with.
But she was able to channel that into positive performances on the court in Dalkeith last week, claiming gold in the class one singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
She said: “I have had a lot on my mind with all these health problems so to come away with a treble last weekend, I’m over the moon, to be honest.
“I’ve not been well for a few months. I’ve been diagnosed with a condition that nobody in Britain has.
“It is called hand, foot and genital syndrome. I have two rare chromosome abnormalities so there is nobody in Britain who has this and apparently there are only a few cases of it worldwide.
“It affects my fingers and it looks like I won’t be able to have children so it has been quite a tough time for me. I’ve had a lot of hospital appointments so it was nice to be playing again.”
Diane succeeded in the Class One women’s singles, while claiming the mixed doubles title with partner Michael McCraw and the women’s doubles crown with partner Alisha Rae.
Diane added: “I was determined to enter the competition. I felt I just had to go for it and I’m happy I did.
“It was nice to celebrate the win with my family when I got home as well.
“I’m just trying to get on with things but I’m hoping to get medication soon that will help me feel a bit better.
“I’ve got the Four Nations Badminton Championship coming up in March so I’m hoping I might feel a bit better for that.”
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