If you follow my blog you’ll already know I have a rare form of muscular dystrophy and if not welcome. So It’s probably time I explained a little bit about MD maybe you know someone with MD. Or, maybe you’re new to the world of Muscular Dystrophy.
You maybe surprised to know there are over 40 types of MD, meaning MD comes under an umbrella term for all the different types of disabilities.
It’s a large misconception that Muscular Dystrophy is it’s own disease, but in reality coming under the umbrella term for several types of muscle weakening diseases. Certain types of MD can appear to be very similar but at the end of the day, all are unique and affect each individual differently.
The type of MD I have is called FHL1 Gene mutation so let’s just call me a superhero! that comes under the family of Myofribillar Myopathy there are different types and my type of MD happens to fall into this category. The FHL1 Gene provides instructions for make 3 versions of a protein that plays an important role in muscles for movement (skeletal muscles) and in the heart and other Muscules with the body, You can’t just have MD you can have a type of MD.
MD can affect just about anyone, most types are genetically inherited. I say most because another misconception is that they ALL are genetically inherited.
Steven Hawkins for example a brilliant man he had a type of MD called ALS. ALS falls into the MD umbrella some use the term motor neuron disease, this particular disease’s is still unknown it could be genetic but there’s no solid proof on how people acquire ALS. certain types of MD share the commonality that they are inherited, like I inherited from my mum.
Even people with my specific disease are affected in very different ways, for instance my brother is younger and is affected differently than myself and my mum, but yet a few I’ve found around the world with the same type of MD I’ve managed to talk to it’s not been inherited from either mother or father. Our bodies are all unique in several factors and how a disease affects you. I’ve found lots of people mistake MD of MS, MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, where as MD affects the muscles. Every Disability is different and affects People’s lives in different wats, even if they have the same type of disability/disease.
We all have our unique thumbprint within a world of billions that’s makes us 1 in a billion.
Kerry x
If you are interested in learning more about MD, visit Muscular Dystrophy
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