Name: Maria Alter: 29 years old

Land: USA

LGMD Unter-Typ: LGMD 1B

 

In welchem Alter wurde bei Ihnen die Diagnose gestellt?:

Initially, I was diagnosed at age two with SMA. I was then re-diagnosed at age 15 with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Was waren Ihre ersten Symptome?:

My parents said I didn’t walk until 17 months. I also walked with a waddle and was using my arms to help me get up from a sitting position as a toddler.

Haben Sie andere Familienmitglieder, die LGMD haben?

No, I am the only person in my family with LGMD.

Was sind für Sie die größten Herausforderungen im Leben mit LGMD?:

Mentally: The assumption that we do not live a normal life is the biggest challenge for me. Physically: Learning to accept the progression when I notice something got weaker.

Was ist Ihre größte Errungenschaft?:

Getting my license and my own car. The process of doing so took a long two years. It felt like there was never an end in sight. Having my car has changed my life and helps me remain independent as possible.

Wie hat LGMD Sie zu der Person gemacht, die Sie heute sind?

It has definitely shaped my personality and who I am. My fierce personality comes from my determination to show others that we are able. My passionate side comes from fighting since day one, even as a child. Growing up with a disability has shaped me into more ways I could imagine. I know that this disease has made me into the Maria that everyone knows.

Was möchten Sie der Welt über LGMD mitteilen?:

I want people to know that it is considered a rare disease so there is no treatment or cure. Also, I want to shout from the mountain tops that it is not MS!

Wenn Ihre LGMD morgen "geheilt" werden könnte, was würden Sie als Erstes tun wollen?:

I’d run to pick up my five nieces and nephews. I’d go to the mall and pick out an outfit without having to worry about being to skinny to fit into anything. And then I would probably go putt putt. That’s definitely something I miss that used to be a huge part of my childhood. My dad would take my sisters and I almost every week as kids and so it became one of my favorite things to do.