Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive form of Muscular Dystrophy that mostly occurs in boys. In most cases, the condition is caused by an inherited gene mutation. However, the mutation may also occur spontaneously.
The symptoms of DMD usually appear as early as 5 years old. Individuals who have DMD experience progressive loss of muscle function and weakness, which begins in the lower limbs. Eventually this weakness spreads to the arms, neck, and other areas. Over time, muscles in the chest may also be affected, resulting in the need to rely on respiratory aids for breathing. While there is no known cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, treatments such as medications and physiotherapy have been known to maintain muscle function for a longer period of time and improve the quality of life of people with DMD.
These ‘Speaking from Experience’ video clips offer first-hand accounts from five people living with DMD. They discuss with unprecedented candour how the condition has affected their daily living and how they chose to cope with it.