The mum who weeps diamonds
Bitter tears ... Jodie Smith
Published: Today at 01:31
A MUM has told how she is left in agony whenever she cries — because her tears contain razor-sharp “diamond” crystals.
Jody Smith, 35, suffers from cystinosis, a rare inherited disease which causes a build- up of an acid called cystine.
It forms as tiny crystals, which gather in her heart and lungs and fall from her eyes whenever they water, sparkling like jewels.
Speaking about her illness for the first time, Jody said: “My doctor and husband say the crystals look like beautiful diamonds, but to me they’re a painful nuisance.
“I know they sound lovely but it’s really awful, especially when the sun’s in my eyes. It feels like I’ve got sand in them.”
There is no cure for cystinosis, which takes its toll on sufferers’ kidney function.
But brave Jody of Boston, Lincs, has amazed doctors, who thought she would die in her teens.
She has undergone two kidney transplants. After the first, when she was just nine, she suffered a stroke. But she recovered and had the second op when she was 26.
She now has drops for her eyes, but says they don’t really help.
Jody, who is married to mobile technician Chris, 35, and has a daughter Chloe, 13, said: “If anyone else has heard of this condition and thinks they could help I’d really like them to get in touch.”
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