VALLEY GROVE -- In 1994, Barb Smith of Valley Grove was diagnosed with Scleroderma. A cut on her finger wouldn't heal, concerning doctors.

Scleroderma is a disease that takes on many forms. It ranges from causing thick and tight skin to having damaging effects on blood vessels and other organs.

The Scleroderma went dormant in Barb up until the eve of her 49th birthday in February of 2006.

In the middle of the night, Barb awakened to her left leg ice cold and numb. Scleroderma had caused circulation problems in the past, but this time was different.

Doctor's in the Ohio Valley finally decided they couldn't do anything for Barb, and she was sent to the Cleveland Clinic.

Barb was in tremendous pain and it was discovered she had blood clots by her left ankle.

Then the news was delivered in June of 2006. Barb's left leg would have to be amputated from just below the knee, down. However the doctor promised, Barb would be in no more pain.

"They removed it on a Monday, left me on a Tuesday and on Wednesday had me in physical therapy.", Barb said. "I've had many times when I was thinking why me?"

She was fitted with a prosthetic leg, which was sculpted to look very similar to her right leg.

Barb has learned to do all over, things we take for granted like walking upstairs, driving a car and just getting dinner around.

Even after everything she's been through, she called her doctor at the Cleveland Clinic and thanked him for the amputation.

Barb told 7News, "You can sit on that couch or you can get up and get going and i'm gonna celebrate life."

Her goal is to dance with her son next May at a special Senior prom party.