She got six distinctions in her matric exams but all Zainab Mohammed wants right now is to wear heels to her sister's wedding this weekend. But the 18-year-old Springs Muslim School matriculant was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease at the age of three and might never get to wear high heels.The disorder, Marfan syndrome, hits the body's connective tissues and has affected Mohammed's eyes, muscles and heart. She has a leak in a heart valve that will get worse as she gets older.But her illness has not deterred her from achieving brilliant matric results.Waking up at 2am to study has brought her distinctions in English, maths, physical science, life sciences, accounting and life orientation.Speaking from her East Rand home, Mohammed said she was not always confident but, with the support of her family, her school and her therapist, she was able to cope."It's really tough but I try to stay positive. There was the teasing and laughing from other kids that I had to deal with, but now people are used to me. Some of my friends even help carry my school bag because it's too heavy for me."It's really difficult having this rare disease. People stare at me all the time," she said.Unable to do sport, she focused on academic subjects and now plans to study for a BSc degree at Wits University this year.Were it not for her condition, Mohammed said she would have tried to become a doctor.Almost 2m tall, she has to wear custom-made size 11 sneakers instead of the longed-for heels."There are moments when I feel down. I would really love to wear heels - but I can't."But I've learned that I should focus on the positive," she said.Mohammed has just returned from a cruise with her family to Dubai, Oman and Abu Dhabi, which was just what she needed.Now that she is refreshed, her next challenge will be to make the transition from high school, with 24 pupils in her class, to a lecture room with hundreds of students."I'm a little scared and nervous, but mostly excited."A new environment will be fun and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Mohammed said.Springs Muslim School principal Suliman Ismail said: "I'm totally delighted with how well she's done. It's a highlight for a principal to have students who are not getting mediocre passes but a quality education."Her father, Fiaz Mohammed, said he was extremely proud of his daughter and her exceptional exam results."She's done beyond what we expected of her and we know that what she got was what she deserved."Throughout this time she's taught us never to give up and that 'disability' is just a word."She's applied herself and has proved that, with hard work, nothing is impossible."..