In Orimattila co-educational school, joy and anticipation of the future are bubbling up on the first Saturday of June. A 15-year-old is also looking forward to holidays and summer Amanda Sallinenwho steps in front of the spring festival audience to give a speech to the first graders graduating from elementary school.
He speaks from the bottom of his heart, because even though school was not difficult for him, the journey to this moment has required a lot of guts and perseverance.
– Grades do not determine what kind of person you are. No one can know what kind of family it has become, whether it was difficult or easy. People are different, it is not easy for everyone to get good numbers, says Sallinen.
Sallella was diagnosed with severe hearing loss right after birth. It has brought its own challenges to life, but thanks to the hearing aids, the impact on everyday life is small.
Three years ago, Sallinen’s life was really shaken. He couldn’t run anymore. A year ago, the cause of the symptoms became clear: Salliella was diagnosed with a peripheral nervous system disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
– Of course it came as a surprise, although not a big one, because I’ve lived this way all my life. A couple of years ago, when the situation got worse, there was a little despair.
However, Sallinen says that there were positives in finding the disease. He is not afraid or worried about his situation because medicine is always evolving.
– It became clear why I am like this and why I cannot do certain things.
Father Jarkko Sallinen says that the illness came as a shock to the whole family. The most important thing was to stay strong by my daughter’s side.
– The feeling was sad and the uncertainty was terrible. I thought it can’t be true, is this happening to my child? There were sleepless nights trying to be strong by Amanda’s side, Jarkko Sallinen recalls.
“Why do I have this disease?”
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease causes muscle weakness, paralysis and fatigue. Sometimes the pain is so bad that it is difficult to move.
Sallinen attends physiotherapy once a week. Basketball, which he had been playing for more than ten years, had to be left. It’s one of the few things that sometimes drags the mind down.
– When my friends go to play basketball and I can’t join, I feel like I want to play – why do I have such an illness? You can get over the feeling and it’s not the end of the world. I can do everything else, Sallinen reflects.
Thanks to her tenacious nature, Amanda quickly managed to look ahead. Family and friends encouraged, praised and illuminated the faith.
Sallinen had sat behind the wheel of a karting car inspired by his cousin and fell in love with the sport. The new girl was well received among the drivers.
– When I discovered karting, I noticed that the disease has almost no effect on the sport. I don’t see any obstacle to not being able to drive a kart. I want to set an example for those who don’t dare to do what they want.
According to the father, getting lost in karting was by no means obvious. It was quite a surprise, the kind of competitive spirit in my daughter immediately on the first ride.
– Karting has been a really important thing. Amanda has had happy moments while working on it, father-daughter quality time is also available. I had never even been to watch karting, now I am Amanda’s mechanic, Jarkko Sallinen laughs.
Dreams are made to come true
Sallinen, who is in his third competition season with LFS Motosport and his first with Team Finland, aims to one day be on top of the world.
The pace and excitement are fascinating. Amanda has been to international competitions three times. The next goal is the World Championships in Italy in October.
– Of course, I try to do everything I can for Amanda and use my time to make her dreams come true. To create faith, says Jarkko Sallinen.
During the summer, Sallinen competes and, like other teenagers, hangs out with his friends. Autumn is exciting, because high school and new circles are ahead.
Looking to the future with a progressive illness, Salsella has an important message for young people struggling with various difficulties.
– Support and help is available. No one has to be left alone with difficult things. There are sure to be helpful adults and loved ones. Those who want to help, Sallinen smiles.