Owasso teen with rare disease learning to drive

An Owasso teenager with a rare disease is making big strides in her personal life.

At 3 feet 10 inches tall, she is learning to drive. She also recently earned several awards at school.

Circling the parking lot at Owasso's Tulsa Tech campus, Carissah Holland is getting some experience behind the wheel.

“Well, when I started, I was really nervous,” she said. “I still am nervous, though."

The 15-year-old was born with MPS VI, a rare genetic disorder that impacts her organs and causes growth abnormalities.

She recently got her learner's permit.

"It actually doesn't take that much for me. I use pedal extenders and cushions,” Carissah said.

Between practice with her mom, Angela, and driver's ed class this summer, Carissah expects to get her license in a few months.

Carissah is also hitting big milestones at school. She just won first place at the science fair, studying how genetics affect taste.

"I tested 60 people using (a) phenylthiocarbamide strip, or PTC strip, and some people can taste and some people can't,” she said. “And I tested families, to see if they got the traits from their mom or dad."

She ended the school year with a fridge full of awards.

"I just do my daily life. I don't really think about that,” Carissah said.

Those awards include straight A's, Top Mathematician, and Student of the Year, among others.

The recognition comes after putting in the hard work, all while recovering from 15 surgeries throughout her life, including one that helped her avoid paralysis.

"Look what you can do in a year without surgeries. This is amazing,” Angela said.

"It was very busy. I was very stressed out with the science fair. Glad that's over,” Carissah said.

Now she's focused on another skill that will help her take off toward whatever comes next.

Thursday was International MPS Awareness Day.

Carissah's plans this summer include working at the Owasso Public Library and traveling.

For more on Carissah, watch our original story here.

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