04/25/2015

NOMBRE:  Audrey

EDAD: 42 Yrs. Old

PAÍS: Estados Unidos

Subtipo LGMD: LGMD2i

A QUÉ EDAD LE DIAGNOSTICARON:
I was diagnosed with LGMD when I was 37. I had never heard of it before my diagnosis.

¿CUÁLES FUERON SUS PRIMEROS SÍNTOMAS?:

I noticed in my twenties I began having trouble climbing stairs, raising from the floor, and lifting my legs. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how abnormally weak I was becoming. I thought I was just out of shape or uncoordinated. When I needed physical therapy for shoulder pain, the PT sent me back to my doctor because she recognized something was seriously wrong.

DO YOU HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LGMD:

My older sister also has LGMD2i, but her progression is slower.

¿CUÁLES CREE QUE SON LOS MAYORES RETOS DE VIVIR CON LGMD?:

My greatest challenge has been to accept help without feeling like a burden on others. I’m still able to walk, but I need a lot of help from my family with everyday life. I am so fortunate to have such a great family support system. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am!

¿CUÁL ES SU MAYOR LOGRO?:

I’ve spent the last 23 years being a mother to my 3 daughters. Motherhood is certainly my greatest accomplishment.

¿CÓMO TE HA INFLUIDO LA ALGMD PARA CONVERTIRTE EN LA PERSONA QUE ERES HOY?:

LGMD has allowed me to simply accept what life offers. When faced with this diagnosis and an uncertain future, I’ve found out I’m still okay… I can do this, and I’m going to be okay!

¿QUÉ QUIERE QUE EL MUNDO SEPA SOBRE LA DGML?:

I think it would be great to put LGMD on more people’s radar. Most doctors I’ve seen haven’t heard of it.

SI MAÑANA SE PUDIERA "CURAR" SU DGML, ¿QUÉ SERÍA LO PRIMERO QUE DESEARÍA HACER?:

If I were cured tomorrow, I’d run. I’d run as far as I could, then I would climb the stairs. I’d help every person who dropped something pick it up. I would plant and tend a beautiful garden. I would never take these legs for granted!