My Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is LaDonna and I am just about to be 41 years old. I was diagnosed with

CMT when I was 14, but I was showing signs at the age of 11. My dad was in

denial and was convinced that I was too lazy to pick my feet up and walk like

normal. LOL.... I wonder how you could make yourself believe such a crazy idea.

I was the first one in my family to ever be diagnosed with CMT, so it was pretty

intense for them.

I am married and have 3 beautiful girls ages 21, 17 and 16. They haven't been

tested for CMT, but also haven't shown symptoms...so I am keeping my fingers

crossed and praying for them to be without the disease. I am usually very

up-beat about CMT. I feel there are so many worse diseases out there and I was

fortunate to get this one instead of a life threatening disease. I wear AFO foot

braces and they help me tremendously. I didn't start wearing any braces until I

was 23. I had my family doctor tell me there was a such thing and he told me how

they went into your shoe and were not even seen by others. I was so excited. I

went to the braces and limbs store and was shot down when they told me the costs

were like $400.00 each (even back then) and that I needed a prescription to get

them. I laughed at him and told my husband I would never pay that kind of money

for plastic inserts for my feet..... LOL ....I look back on that now and realize

that I wouldn't trade my braces for even a

million dollars today.

My symptoms have progressed very slowly. I have weakness in my hands and fingers

now. where it was just my feet. Typing with my pinky finger is a little hard,

but I can do it. I am very independent and can do just about anything other than

run and climb flights of stairs. I have about 5 steps to go up to get in my

house that I can go up, but I am a little slower than the others in the house.

I try to stay active and by that, I mean working in the yard, shopping, and

cleaning house. I just try not to over-exert myself.

Since I was diagnosed, my oldest brother and oldest sister have also been

diagnosed. They didn't get symptoms until their late 20's.

Well, enough about me...I am excited to be in this group and look forward to

hearing from everyone.

=) LaDonna