LGMD “Spotlight Interview”

NAME: Mackenzie   AGE: 22 yrs. old

Country: USA

LGMD Sub-Type: Unknown

AT WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED:

I was just diagnosed last year at the age of 21.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST SYMPTOMS:

My first symptoms included my feet and legs aching, sliding my feet when walking, fatigue and having a hard time lifting objects that should be easy to lift for a person of my age/height.

DO YOU HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LGMD:

No, I am the only one.

WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES IN LIVING WITH LGMD:

The simplest things can make my body ache (cleaning, trying on clothes, shopping, etc). Constant fatigue is always a struggle. I’m learning to prioritize my daily activities and accept that I can’t always do what I want to do.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

I am finishing college to be an elementary/special education teacher.

HOW HAS LGMD INFLUENCED YOU INTO BECOMING THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY:

My diagnosis has been less than a year ago, but I have noticed that reaching my goals are more important to me. I also got engaged this year, and I am so happy that we were together before the diagnosis and he still asked me to marry him! I still have goals.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT LGMD:

I want the world to know that we are not lazy. We wish we could be more active. Every day we think about what we want to do but don’t have the energy or pain tolerance to do. I want the world to know that we are people with hopes and dreams, just like them.

IF YOUR LGMD COULD BE “CURED” TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO:

If LGMD was cured tomorrow, I would want to live without pain and have the energy a 22-year-old should have!

To read more “LGMD Spotlight Interviews” or to volunteer to be featured in an upcoming interview, please visit our website at: https://www.lgmd-info.org/spotlight-interviews