Hello, my name is Anne and I have Von Willebrand Disease. Disease type 1 to be exact. One of my largest complaints about growing up with a bleeding disorder, isn’t missing out on things in gym class, spending hours icing joint bleeds or even the pain that comes with them, it’s how misinformed people are. It’s crazy, some are even shocked that I can survive a simple paper cuts. Since a young age, I have found myself explaining to multiple class mates, teachers, and even health care providers what it means to have a bleeding disorder. Which isn’t an easy thing to do. It’s hard to admit to someone that you’re flawed, that you’re different. I have received a variety of interesting reactions to my “I have Von Willebrands speech”. Which if I can say so myself, I have perfected over the years. Through practice hadn’t made it any easier. Von Willebrand is a huge part of my life. It’s the most annoying thing in my life and most of the time I hate the fact that I have to deal with. It effects every decision I make. It has made things in my life much harder. But to be honest, I truly believe that it is the reason I am who I am today. And to me that is worth all the struggles that comes with it.