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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Imagine you’re going to be a new parent to a baby boy who will grow up being able to run, being able to ride his bike and being able to play various sports. Now imagine that you’re going to be a new parent to a baby boy who will start his life and be able to run around, be able to ride his bike and be able throw a ball just like any normal child. However, by around the age of 12 he will be unable to walk. This circumstance could be brought on by an incurable muscle weakening disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Although, there are many different forms of Muscular Dystrophy; Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or DMD as it’s commonly known is the most common form. DMD is a neuromuscular disorder caused by a flawed gene for dystrophin (a protein in the muscles). A neuromuscular disorder affects nerves that control voluntary muscles. Every 1 out of 3600 males inherit this disorder; while it is extremely rare for a female to inherit it. Unfortunately, someone with DMD may not make it through their late teens or early adulthood. Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is challenging and makes everyday life a struggle not only for the person living with it but for the family as well. There is currently no cure for DMD but luckily there is some hope.
Many young boys dream about being able to play a professional sport when they grow up. Their mother’s and father’s devote their time taking their child to practices and games in order for their child to reach this dream. But for boys living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy their dreams are as simple as being able to walk or making it to their 23rd birthday. Having weak muscles, together with, being confined to a wheelchair makes everyday tasks very difficult for an individual living with DMD. Something as simple as breathing is tough because eventually even the muscles used for breathing become less strong. It is not uncommon for the individual to struggle academically because they often have slowness to their speech and their mind. Being socially accepted is another big challenge that they face because they are different than others and often feel shy.
In addition, family members of an individual living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are living through a struggle as well. Common feelings that one may have once their child is diagnosed with DMD are: sadness, guilt, emptiness and frustration. It feels almost as though their world has come crashing down on them. Their hopes and dreams for their child have become diminished and they worry for their child. The family lives in constant fear that the individual will fall out of their wheelchair and hurt themselves or end up in the hospital. After the mid-teen years they also are in constant worry that the individual may or may not see another tomorrow.
While there is no cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy there is hope. There are a few things that can be done to help offset the effects of DMD, such as: physiotherapy and exercise. The goals of each of these are to strengthen muscles, provide more motion within the joints, and keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Moreover, there are many different organizations such as Muscular Dystrophy Canada. They are a non-profit organization in search for a cure for neuromuscular disorders. This past summer, Vivint (a home automation company) had a “Vivint Gives Back Project.” This project was a way to raise money for charities by voting for them. Muscular Dystrophy Canada was one of those charities that were nominated to win the grand prize of $250,000. Even though they did not win, it just shows how there is hope of finding a cure.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited muscle weakening disease. Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is challenging and makes everyday life a struggle not only for the person living with it but for the family as well. There is currently no cure for DMD but luckily there is some hope. DMD affects individuals both physically and emotionally. It is physically challenging for an individual living with DMD to do many of the things that he once loved doing as a young child. It is emotionally draining not only for them but the family members; they often feel sadness and frustration. Raising money for DMD research provides hope for these families that someday there will be a cure. A young man, named Matthew Skretting, who is suffering with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy once said, “But if it doesn't kill me it makes me tougher. You're never really going to make a difference until you suffer...”

References: http://www.muscle.ca/western-canada/home.html http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001724/ http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/muscular_dystrophy.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7IOAUVDaq0 watch this

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