Stride & Ride 2010: Ryan's Hope
Stride & Ride 2010: Ryan's Hope
Please consider donating to Ryan's Hope in honor of my nephew Ryan. Ryan is 14 years old and has been in a wheel chair since 2 weeks before his 8th birthday. Ryan has the most severe form of a nasty disease called Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Ryan was diagnosed at the age of four after his parents went to the pediatrician with concerns that he was not active like his siblings and other signs that something wasn't right. The doctors referred them to a pediatric specialist in Muscular Dystrophy and was told on the first visit with the specialist about the disease that has changed all of their lives. Blood test confirmed their worst fears. Today Ryan cannot do anything for himself as the only extremity muscles left working, albeit weak, are his fingers, so he can still play his hand games.
Boys with Duchenne are typically diagnosed before the age of five. Their muscles swell and joints become restricted. They are easily fatigued and have difficulty keeping up with others their age. Most Duchenne boys need a wheelchair between the ages of 10 and 12. The simplest of tasks, such as holding a fork or turning over in bed, becomes very difficult. In the later stages, heart and breathing muscles begin to fail. Historically, most boys with Duchenne have not survived their teens.
One in every 3,500 boys worldwide (an estimated 20,000 babies annually) is afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The disorder affects all ethnic and social groups. The gene mutation that causes Duchenne is usually passed from mother to son, but fully one-third of cases are spontaneous. This was the case with Ryan.
There is no cure…and it can happen in any family.
Thank you for your consideration of donating. No amount is too small. Simply click on the link under the title to go to Ryan's Hope home page. Thank you for your support.
Please consider donating to Ryan's Hope in honor of my nephew Ryan. Ryan is 14 years old and has been in a wheel chair since 2 weeks before his 8th birthday. Ryan has the most severe form of a nasty disease called Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Ryan was diagnosed at the age of four after his parents went to the pediatrician with concerns that he was not active like his siblings and other signs that something wasn't right. The doctors referred them to a pediatric specialist in Muscular Dystrophy and was told on the first visit with the specialist about the disease that has changed all of their lives. Blood test confirmed their worst fears. Today Ryan cannot do anything for himself as the only extremity muscles left working, albeit weak, are his fingers, so he can still play his hand games.
Boys with Duchenne are typically diagnosed before the age of five. Their muscles swell and joints become restricted. They are easily fatigued and have difficulty keeping up with others their age. Most Duchenne boys need a wheelchair between the ages of 10 and 12. The simplest of tasks, such as holding a fork or turning over in bed, becomes very difficult. In the later stages, heart and breathing muscles begin to fail. Historically, most boys with Duchenne have not survived their teens.
One in every 3,500 boys worldwide (an estimated 20,000 babies annually) is afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The disorder affects all ethnic and social groups. The gene mutation that causes Duchenne is usually passed from mother to son, but fully one-third of cases are spontaneous. This was the case with Ryan.
There is no cure…and it can happen in any family.
Thank you for your consideration of donating. No amount is too small. Simply click on the link under the title to go to Ryan's Hope home page. Thank you for your support.
Comments
Post a Comment