Muscular Dystrophy Australia - Making a Difference

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular Dystrophy is a prominent disorder within the wider community affecting 1 in every 1000 Australia: men, women and children.

The disorder is most commonly found in young boys and is a deadly, progressive irreversible muscle destroying disorder with very few affected living past their twenties.

There are over 60 neuromuscular disorders; with Duchenne MD being the most prominent.

There is NO CURE and 100% fatality rate, so the odds for people affected with this debilitating disorder are not good.

Muscular Dystrophy is a devastating, debilitating muscle destroying disorder,  it  is also an emotionally- challenging one.  MD is the number one genetic killer of boys worldwide and there is currently no cure.

The harsh reality of muscular dystrophy begins for a child when they are diagnosed between the ages of 2- 5. With an intensifying weakness of muscles, the child generally loses their ability to walk between the ages of 8 – 12, relying on an electric wheelchair and 24/7 care. The heart and breathing muscles are affected by their late teens, with the deterioration becoming more evident as each day passes. Muscular Dystrophy is lethal in its attack and vicious with its intensity.

For people affected with MD, it is an enormous challenge to complete any simple tasks that we take for granted. People affected with MD lose their independence in every shape and form, creating frustrations and reliance on others to assist to simply survive.

A typical day in the life of someone affected means they rely on a wheelchair for mobility, a ventilator machine to breathe and a personal carer for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Completing everyday tasks; such as going to the bathroom, showering, eating and changing clothes is a reality that those affected, unfortunately can never conquer alone. Humility and dignity disintegrates as MD overtakes the fragility of those affected. Conditions worsen as those affected get older. It is a rarity for MD affected to reach adulthood.

Imagine not having the ability to turn yourself over in your bed at night? Having to rely on someone to turn you over 8 -10 times a night? The harsh reality is that once a child is diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, the child’s muscles will fail as they grow.

There is still hope in one day finding a cure to this muscle destroying disease – research is the key. But research needs funds and lots of it.