LGMD “Spotlight Interview”

Name:  Aric   Age:  22 yrs. old

Country:  United States

LGMD Sub-Type:  LGMD2B

 

At what age were you diagnosed:

I was diagnosed at the age of 21.

What were your first symptoms:

My first symptoms were not being able to climb stairs or stand on my tip toes.

Do you have other family members who have LGMD:

I do not.

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

In my normal day, I have trouble walking up stairs and getting out of my car —  things that most people would never think about. That’s the biggest challenge I think, trying to help people better understand what people like me are going through. It’s tough to describe why I can’t do normal everyday activities like I used to.

What is your greatest accomplishment:

I’ve had accomplishments in sports along with academics over the past few years while I was in high school. In the few jobs I’ve worked I’ve reach goals that no other young person has ever came close to. I honestly think my biggest accomplishment is not giving up the fight I’m currently in. This horrible disease can really take so much out of one person, the strength and message I must tell myself every day just to get out of bed is my biggest accomplishment. I will continue to fight for a better life for me and for others living with MD, I’m still very young I believe I can now make a difference in this world.

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

LGMD has turned me into such a stronger person and the irony in the statement is kind of funny. I treat every day like a blessing, I’ve recently started my own team for a local MD event and I am currently working on my own event! I just want to make a better place and provide hope for every child and adult going through this.

What do you want the world to know about LGMD:

I just want the world to know the struggle that we go through, how hard it can be just to continue going on with everyday life. I want the world to know.

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

If I was cured tomorrow I’d honestly just talk off running, I’d invite all my family and friends and we would just run as far as we could like Forest Gump. We’d all just laugh and cry all the way. The world would definitely know that I was a cured man!

 

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