September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. There are more than 100 neuromuscular disorders and it is estimated more than 50,000 Canadians are affected by one form or another. Each form is caused by an error in a specific gene related to muscle function.
"Muscular dystrophy and its related disorders mean living with progressive muscle weakness," says Catherine Sherrard, Muscular Dystrophy Canada's CEO. "Everything from getting up out of one's chair to walking down the street is extremely tiring and stressful. Some people spend their life in a wheelchair, others find it challenging to walk more than a few feet at a time."
The symptoms of a neuromuscular disease vary according to the condition and may be mild, moderate or life-threatening. For some the disorder is fatal at a young age. For others it means a lifetime of muscle fatigue and greater dependence on others. It takes more than one person to provide care and assistance. No matter what the severity, entire families are affected.
"Muscular Dystrophy Canada funds research to better understand these disorders. Right now, there are very few effective therapies or drugs available. But we hope this important work will lead to better treatments and ultimately a cure," says Sherrard.
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