My Introduction

[Guest guest]

I live on the beautiful Central Coast of California with my 68-year-old husband

of 30+ years. He has been diagnosed with CMT for nearly 20 years. Several

relatives on his father's side of the family have it including his 70-year-old

brother. Husband has significant hand, leg, and foot involvement.

Probably his biggest problem is balance while standing. He has some drop-foot

difficulty but hasn't gotten to the leg brace level yet.

My motivation to join the group was prompted by his accident a week ago. While

out walking one of our dogs, she cut in front of him, he tripped over her and

broke his right radius. In all fairness to and the dog, even without CMT,

he may well have suffered the same fate in this circumstance. However, because

of his balance problems, the next time an injury may occur, it could be in the

yard, house, or elsewhere and have nothing to do with tripping over the dog.

isn't very pro-active about his neuropathy so I want to become more

knowledgeable so I can guide him to physical therapy and exercise programs that

may help his mobility and balance.

I am most interested in what forms of physical therapy are best and in

particular, aquatic exercise. I am also wanting to know if working on core

strength can benefit balance problems. I have already found the files section

and there are good documents about water exercise. We have a YMCA close by and

I am a member and do lap swimming there on a regular basis. They also have

water aerobics and " deep water walking " classes. There is also a physical

therapy office in town that has a warm water pool for physical therapy and water

exercise classes.

Anita Ritenour

Santa , CA

puliarf@...