What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare muscular disorder, most predominantly seen in boys, and generally diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 6. Characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness and wasting of the muscles; DMD, in most cases, affects the leg muscles before the arms. This can mean that children with DMD are often late walkers, and usually suffer a delay in sitting and standing independently.
How the Disorder Progresses
Moving forwards; difficulties in running and jumping are often observed, with other symptoms including curvature of the spine and a wadding gait. As the disease progresses, muscle weakness gradually progresses to involve additional parts of the body, with calves appearing enlarged in most cases. Wheelchairs are frequently required by teenage years, with the heart and respiratory muscles often becoming affected too. Acute respiratory failure and heart disease are often the result.
Life expectancy and DMD
Until recent years it was uncommon for DMD sufferers to see out their teenage years. However, with advances in cardiac and respiratory care, survival into the 30’s is becoming more common.
Why Choices Estate Agency Chose to Support the Cause
Simon Shinerock, Chairman of Choices had this to say about the disorder and why he chose the support The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Charity:
“DMD is a horrific and incurable disease which affects children, mainly boys, robbing them of a normal childhood and sentencing them to a lifetime of medication and gradual loss of motor function ending on average at age 26. I believe that we need to accelerate awareness of this disease and to work at providing the funding that will pay for the research into a gene therapy which will eventually consign DMD to the history books alongside Polio and Smallpox. What we have done in the big scheme of things is tiny, but if it helps raise awareness then it was worthwhile”.
Here to help
Choices are delighted to have supported such a worthwhile cause, and hope that it goes some way to spreading a little awareness. We thank the charity itself for all the hard work they have put into raising money for this terrible disorder, and wish the sufferers themselves the best lives they can possibly hope for.
