A young woman utilized ChatGPT to assist in identifying her uncommon medical condition, following an initial misdiagnosis of anxiety. Phoebe Tesoriere, 23, entered her symptoms, such as rigid legs and hair loss, into the AI tool, which indicated Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. Subsequently, she presented these findings to her physician, leading to genetic testing that confirmed her diagnosis of the complex quadriplegic form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia is a collection of rare hereditary disorders that result in muscle weakness and stiffness in the legs, with symptoms worsening gradually over time. Phoebe, residing in Cardiff, has observed a deterioration in her condition, now affecting all four limbs.
Despite her inability to continue working as an SEN teacher due to her condition, Phoebe had spent four years misdiagnosed with various ailments, including anxiety and Todd’s Paralysis. Frustrated, she turned to ChatGPT to address her symptoms, eventually leading to her accurate diagnosis, which she described as a mix of relief and concern.
Phoebe, currently fundraising for a specialized wheelchair to accommodate her diagnosis, had long struggled with abnormal walking initially attributed to a missing left hip socket, for which she underwent bone grafts. Despite facing challenges, including being misjudged as a mental health patient after a seizure, Phoebe remains hopeful but realistic about her condition’s progression.
Phoebe’s sister initiated a fundraiser to purchase a wheelchair tailored to Phoebe’s needs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining independence. The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board expressed regret over Phoebe’s challenging diagnostic journey, offering support for further discussions on her care experience.
If you wish to contribute to Phoebe’s fundraiser for an adapted wheelchair, you can do so through the provided link.
