Local Woman With Rare Genetic Disorder Writes Book About Life Experiences

Sheila Radziewicz was born with a rare genetic disorder called TAR (thrombocytopenia absent radius) syndrome. She has hands, but no arms and no kneecaps and a hole in her heart. Doctors didn't expect her to survive.

Today, however, the 35-year-old Peabody resident works as a legal advocate for others living with disabilities and facing discrimination, is a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do, has a master's degree in criminal justice, spins fire staff, scuba dives, is a motivational speaker and just wrote a book.

Radziewicz has taken to GoFundMe to raise support toward publishing the book, which she says is about her experiences becoming independent while living with a disability.

You can check her own website here and the GoFundMe page here.