A WOMBWELL woman who has a rare condition and who appealed for information about other sufferers has been contacted by a former local woman now living in Ireland.

Sharon Crossley, 38, of Rose Grove, is the 56th person to be diagnosed with stiff man syndrome in the UK and Ireland.

It's a rare neurological disorder which causes acutely painful contractions and spasms. The pain is so severe she considered having an arm and a leg amputated. Now, after her story appeared in the Chronicle a few weeks ago, the brother of Grace Sarvent, 67, who was born in Ings Road, Wombwell, and who has lived in Ireland for 16 years, has contacted us.

John Sullivan, 73, of Hemsworth, who is a part-time chiropodist in Wombwell, said it took six years for doctors to find out Grace had the syndrome.

"She got on the internet and got information from America and other countries," said John. "She has done a lot of research on the subject."

Sharon also used the internet to find out more because hospital consultants knew so little. Her symptoms started seven years ago and all the doctors, apart from her GP, said there was nothing wrong with her.

The pain has progressively got worse and there is no cure. "It feels as though someone is twisting my arm and it is about to break. But it's good to find someone who has the same complaint."