No one expected her to carry on that long. (Life expectancy has greatly increased since she was diagnosed as a child decades ago.) But she was a fighter! She engaged with life as fully as she could. And though she may have been toughened by her experience, she wasn't hardened. She felt tremendous empathy for others. She had a powerfully positive influence. Many thought of her as a dear friend and looked to her for inspiration.

I don't know anything about the disease beyond what my friend shared with me. But I can say that despite her condition (which progressed over the years to a point that was extremely challenging), her life was fulfilling and profoundly meaningful. I hope that's encouraging.