I have a friend named Jodi. She has PKU and lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

Attention to all people who have PKU: by writing this story, I would like to help a person who has this disease. My motto is:

“Stay healthy by working on your diet.”

What is PKU?

PKU is a disorder in which the affected person is not able to metabolize (build up food matter into living cells and then break it down into waste to produce energy) a protein called phenylalanine. When this protein builds up in the bloodstream, it can interfere with brain development and cause serious problems. PKU is now routinely checked with newborns by pricking their heels to test the blood.*

* “What to Expect the Toddler Years,” Eisenberg, et al, Workman Publishing Company Inc., New York, New York, ©1994, page 727.