Haemophilia no barrier for Kyle
Kyle Cunningham says he needs help to remember life before the age of 11, "I guess that's because I've tried hard to forget how unhappy my life once was."
Confronting words from a teenager who now appears to have the world at his feet. A final year high school student with an impressive academic record and smile almost as big, 17 year old Kyle is now looking forward to the future.
But he wasn't always so enthusiastic about life. Diagnosed with haemophilia from a young age, Kyle spent much of his childhood in and out of hospital. That was before he was prescribed a new type of treatment from Wyeth.
"After that things started to improve. As a kid I was now receiving lifesaving treatment at the same time as matchbox cars - a damn good deal!"
"As I got older I realized the importance of confidence," Kyle said during a recent presentation to a group of Wyeth employees. "Confidence is integral. You absolutely need it in order to get through and if you don't have it, fake it until you can make it."
Kyle shared his experiences as a child as well as some family snapshots which revealed in graphic detail the battered and bruised little body he once occupied as a result of living with Haemophilia.
His speech had a profound impact on those in attendance and reminded everyone just what companies like Wyeth are ultimately here for - improving the lives of patients.
