FAQ

Q: What's wrong with you?

A: This is the #1 most frequently asked question, which is a shame. I'd like to answer this one with a "nothings wrong" but the people who ask this don't think to put it a better way and in the end you know what they are asking so I say "I was born this way". Which usually leads to Question 2.

Q: Why were you born that way?

A: Simple answer - "Because I was" Complex Answer - While It's clear that the condition is genetic, Because it is so rare it is extremely difficult to find out the exact cause (note: there is a study being conducted). And no my parents aren't cousins.

Q: Why are your arms short?

A: Because in a "normal" arm the lower arm is made up of two bones the Ulna and the Radius (the longer of the two) I am missing the Radius bone in both arms which is why they are shorter.

Q: Can your arms be lengthened?

A: There are operations to straighten them. However when the option was brought up we decided it wasn't suitable for me.

Q: Were your parents on drugs/alcohol?

A: No, and TAR as far as I am aware can not be caused this way. When people ask if it is caused by drugs they are usually inadvertantly refering to Thalidomide. Which is dealt with in the next Question.

Q: Is it caused by Thalidomide?

A: No, Thalidomide causes birth defects that can look similar to TAR
Thalidomide Resources>>

Q: Do you have any other siblings and are they affected?

A: I have a brother and two sisters. My Brother Paul has got TAR. Neither of my sisters have it and their children don't have it either :-)

Q: Does it only affect males?

A: The answer is No, it does also affect females. In fact contrary to New Zealand worldwide the incidence in Females is higher than it is in Males.

If you have any suggestions for questions. Or think I need to improve some of my answers. Please tell me, either by E-mail or Guestbook


Eddie's TAR Syndrome Page