LGMD “SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW”

 

Name:   Mandine            Age: 31

Country:   France

LGMD Sub-Type:  LGMD2A / Calpainopathy

 

At what age were you diagnosed:

I was diagnosed with at the age of 8 years and then received confirmation that is was LGMD2A when I was 15 years old.

What were your first symptoms:

I was always walking on tiptoe and I had heavy calves. As an adolescent, I began to lose my muscular strength.

Do you have other family members who have LGMD:

No, I’m the only one.

What do you find to be the greatest challenges in living with LGMD:

The greatest challenge is to adapt continuously as you lose muscle and then find solutions to continue to live as normally as possible. The loss of autonomy is a daily challenge.

What is your greatest accomplishment:

I’m a pharmacist, I work and I live alone in my house with my assistance dog Filo.

How has LGMD influenced you into becoming the person you are today:

I learned that nothing can be taken for granted in life and that you had to compete and persevere

What do you want the world to know about LGMD:

It is possible to live with this sickness and with a little help, we can be integrated with the society, just like anyone.

If your LGMD could be “cured” tomorrow, what would be the first thing that you would want to do:

I would want to dance to rock-n-roll music!

 

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