Christian's Strength
Donation protected
Christian is a Senior at MOHS and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Christian was diagnosed with DMD when he was three and he has been a trooper ever since. Christian always has a smile on his face and takes each milestone in stride. He never complains or asks why, he just excepts his challenges and works through each one. However, Christian is getting weaker and is 95% reliant on assistance. Christian is in need of your help. He is need of medical care and equipment. He travels every 6 months out of state to get the best care he can get from the best, world renown doctors. This causes some financial struggles, since all travel is out of pocket and his current insurance does not cover a lot of his services and equipment.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in males, though in rare cases may affect females. DMD causes progressive weakness and loss (atrophy) of skeletal and heart muscles. Early signs of DMD may include delayed ability to sit, stand, or walk and difficulties learning to speak. Muscle weakness is usually noticeable by 3 or 4 years of age and begins in the hips, pelvic area, upper legs, and shoulders. The calves may be enlarged. Children with DMD may have an unusual walk and difficulty running, climbing stairs, and getting up from the floor. DMD may also affect learning and memory, as well as communication and certain social emotional skills. Muscle weakness worsens with age and progresses to the arms, legs and trunk. Most children with DMD use a wheelchair full time by age 13. Heart and respiratory muscle problems begin in the teen years and lead to serious, life threatening complications.
DMD is caused by changes (mutations) in the DMD gene. The DMD gene codes for the protein dystrophin. Dystrophin is mainly made in skeletal and heart muscle cells, but a small amount is also made in nerve cells (neurons) in specific parts of the brain. DMD is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern; however, it may also occur in people who do not have a family history of DMD. While there is no known cure for DMD, there are treatments that can help control symptoms. Due to the advancement of medical treatment, boys with DMD may now live into young adulthood.
This is very rare for us, but we are asking for your help! Please help us get all that Christian needs to help him get the care he needs and that smile on his face, Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kathleen (his mom) and Christian
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in males, though in rare cases may affect females. DMD causes progressive weakness and loss (atrophy) of skeletal and heart muscles. Early signs of DMD may include delayed ability to sit, stand, or walk and difficulties learning to speak. Muscle weakness is usually noticeable by 3 or 4 years of age and begins in the hips, pelvic area, upper legs, and shoulders. The calves may be enlarged. Children with DMD may have an unusual walk and difficulty running, climbing stairs, and getting up from the floor. DMD may also affect learning and memory, as well as communication and certain social emotional skills. Muscle weakness worsens with age and progresses to the arms, legs and trunk. Most children with DMD use a wheelchair full time by age 13. Heart and respiratory muscle problems begin in the teen years and lead to serious, life threatening complications.
DMD is caused by changes (mutations) in the DMD gene. The DMD gene codes for the protein dystrophin. Dystrophin is mainly made in skeletal and heart muscle cells, but a small amount is also made in nerve cells (neurons) in specific parts of the brain. DMD is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern; however, it may also occur in people who do not have a family history of DMD. While there is no known cure for DMD, there are treatments that can help control symptoms. Due to the advancement of medical treatment, boys with DMD may now live into young adulthood.
This is very rare for us, but we are asking for your help! Please help us get all that Christian needs to help him get the care he needs and that smile on his face, Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kathleen (his mom) and Christian
Organizer
Kathleen Policano
Organizer
Mount Olive, NJ