My name is Tyler Reimers. I am 21 years old. I was born and still live in Hillsboro, Oregon with my Mom, Dad and 15 year old brother Mark. I was diagnosed with Methylmalonic Acidemia CblA at 6 months old, after my first crisis while I was in a coma by Dr. Buist.  After I came out of coma and my family was able to take me home. During ages 1-4, I sometimes became very sick, some of those times I had to go to the hospital. I didn’t grow as fast as the other kids. I also didn’t eat very much as a kid, so from about 7 months to 4 years old, I had to be on an NG feeding tube just to get the minimum amount of food to survive, because I just refused to eat. I also developed some speech problems. My parents took me every week up to the OHSU to get help for me for my speech and eating problems, so I would be able to attend elementary school. I got off the feeding tube around 4 years old. I learned to drink my formula in a sippy cup, but it would take me at least an hour to drink 4 ounces.

In elementary school, I was still the smallest and shortest kid in my class. I would sometimes leave class to go to lower level classes in the school with other teachers. I played baseball from kindergarten until fourth grade. In 5th grade I finally got to 50 pounds and had a big party to celebrate. When I got into Jr. High my height started to level out. I was not the shortest in my class anymore. At the beginning of Jr. High I started at about 4’11 and was 5’2 at the end of Jr. High. In the 8th grade I started to get back into sports. I joined the wrestling team during the winter and at the end of the season had about a .500 record. I wrestled at about 90 lbs. In the summer I started tennis and competed in a team tennis tournament. In high school joined the wrestling team and tennis team. I lettered all 4 years in wrestling and 3 years in tennis. I did notice that during sports I would get more fatigued faster than my teammates and opponents.

Toward the end of high school, I replaced my formula drink with a vanilla carnation instant breakfast everyday. I am still a very picky eater and have a very limited menu. I never eat meat, but I eat a lot of French fries and bread. I like mostly salty foods and dip my food in different condiments. I take 6 pills of Carnitor and give myself 3 shots a week of Hydroxycobalamin for my MMA. I am currently attending Portland Community college and in about a year or so, I am planning to transfer to Portland State University. Since I had an IEP, I am able to get extra help in college like a note taker and extra time on tests. Because of fatigue, memory and learning issues, I only take 2 classes a term, so it will take me longer to get through college.

If you have any questions, my e-mail is Wrestlertyler@aol.com

Tyler Reimers

Janet Reimers (Mother)