Gretchen Glick '70 Nominated for Patient Advocacy Awards for Work with Charcot-M

[Guest guest]

Gretchen Glick '70 Nominated for Patient Advocacy Awards for Work

with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

http://www.hw.com/NewsArchives/tabid/1515/articleType/ArticleView/art

icleId/1156/Default.aspx

by Beth Phelan

Alumna Gretchen Glick has turned a neuromuscular disorder into her

full-time " job. " At age 10, she was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-

Tooth (CMT) syndrome, which is the most common inherited

neuromuscular disorder. It affects more than six million people

worldwide, and doesn't discriminate based on age.

On Sept. 22, the Santa Ynez Valley Journal, a local Southern

California newspaper, wrote a story about Gretchen and her work with

CMT. (photo and links at site above)

CMT is also known as Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy, and is

often misdiagnosed as Muscular Dystrophy, Lyme disease or Multiple

Sclerosis. Symptoms can include pain, fatigue, lack of balance,

tremors, nerve burning and sometimes other crippling effects.

In 1999, Gretchen formed an online support group, Hope, which,

according to the site " shares resources, positive living strategies,

practical suggestions, and new treatment paradigms for Charcot Marie

Tooth syndrome. " To date, there are 1,868 registered users.

Currently, Gretchen devotes her time to writing articles about the

disorder and maintaining the site. " I have definitely reinvented the

concept of the traditional job, " said Glick, who has been nominated

for a Patient Advocate award, by the American Pain Foundation, as

well as a CNN Heroes award. She'll find out later this month if she

will receive either award.

[Guest guest]

that is wonderful; if there is anything we can do to help your nomination go

through, just ask!

jackie

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Figgy. ;-)