Lai Jia Chi, 15, an IP student from Temasek Junior College, counts herself lucky that she is leading a normal life despite having GA1. - ST/ANN
SINGAPORE: At 15, student Lai Jia Chi holds a black belt in taekwondo and a grade 8 in piano – accomplishments that might not have been possible if her rare condition had not been detected early.
Jia Chi has Glutaric Acidemia Type 1 (GA1), an inherited metabolic disorder that prevents the body from properly breaking down certain amino acids. If left unmanaged, the condition will cause brain damage and movement difficulties.
