12/4/2015:

NAME:  Robert   Age: 71 yrs. old

COUNTRY: Canada

LGMD Sub-Type: Unknown

 

At what age were you diagnosed:

I was diagnosed when I was 42 yrs. old.

What were your first symptoms:

I did not walk until I was 24 months old.  As a child I could not run like others but it was believed at the time to be caused by asthma.  I have never been physically strong.

Do you have other family members who have LGMD:  

Thankfully, no.  I am the only person in my family diagnosed with LGMD.

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

One of the greatest challenges is the high cost of aids to keep one going with a reasonably good quality of life.

What is your greatest accomplishment:

My greatest accomplishment is  the friendships I have developed.  

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

I believe living with LGMD has taught me patience, organization, empathy for others, and humor.

What do you want the world to know about LGMD: 

As my disability has progressed and more help is required to keep me active, I have realized that you cannot be poor and have a good quality of life when you are afflicted with a debilitating condition like LGMD, without a lot of assistance, both financial and physical.   Not everyone is as fortunate as I to work a full career and be able to plan for retirement.  Please help to find a treatment or cure.

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

I want to go for a walk along the roads and in the fields and forest around my home community.    I have not done that in over 50 years ….. and I miss it.  Also, I would like to take my wife dancing; we have not been able to do that since the year we met (1986) and I think she misses it.

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