Amanda Harris describes her daughter, Natalie, as a normal bubbly teenager who gets along with everyone, and from the outside, no one could really discern that there was anything wrong with the 14-year-old.

That is unless you noticed her right arm.

Natalie was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) six years ago at the Shriners Hospital for Children.

She now has a PICC line in her arm so she can receive her daily doses of medication, but this is not keeping the teen from wanting to help others at the children’s hospital in Shreveport, La.

“Since I’ve been going there I loved to get all the toys,” Natalie said.

She is referring to a toy closet at the hospital, Harris said.

“When you are seen at the hospital, you are allowed to get a surprise or gift from the toy closet,” Harris said.

Since there are not as many gifts for older children, Natalie has decided to make it her mission to collect items to take to other teens along with collecting donations for the hospital’s transportation fund.

Natalie was chosen to represent Mississippi as the ambassador for the Shriners Hospital Transportation Fund for District 6, and now she would like to pay it forward to others.

“It can be a burden when having to come up with extra money monthly to travel out of state to the hospital,” Harris said, adding the fund helps pay for the transportation, motel and food for the patient.

There are fewer than 200,000 cases of EDS diagnosed per year in the U.S., Harris said. “EDS affects the connective tissue, primarily the skin, joints, and blood vessel walls. This chronic disorder can last for years or be lifelong, Harris said, adding symptoms include overly flexible joints that can dislocate, and skin that is translucent, elastic and bruises easily.

“In some cases, there may be dilation and even rupture of major blood vessels,” she said, and treatment options that will help manage the symptoms and monitor for complications include drugs, physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

“My EDS messes with my legs and makes it hard to do a lot of things,” Natalie said, and she added that because of the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) she could no longer participate in the sport she loved — softball.

“I used to play soft ball a lot, but after I was diagnosed with POTS, the medication I have to take makes me get dehydrated, so I can’t do things outside,” she said.

Not only is EDS a disorder, Harris said, it also causes multiple other problems. Some conditions Natalie has already been diagnosed with in addition to POTS are polyarthritis, psoriasis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastric ulcers, hiatal hernia, reflux, IBS, stomach migraines, head migraines and asthma.

Natalie has already begun collecting toys at River City Early College, where she goes to school. Those wanting to donate can also leave items at the school, which is located on the Vicksburg Hinds Community College Campus.

“What I would suggest putting in the toy closet is anything to do with electronic,  iTunes cards, sports items, crafts, make-up, books, movies, comfy pillow and blankets,” Natalie said.

For more information on how to donate, call 601-631- 1001.