cmt

oops, i forgot yesterday was monday. but i did mail a letter - a significant achievement for me.

decided that since i wasn't phoning my friend, i would send her a letter once a week.

and since i just started a new business scrapbooking, and have the materials, i'm making cards so now i have something to send.

my post this week is about cmt:

1. cmt stands for Charcott-Marie-Tooth Disease or Syndrome.

2. cmt has nothing to do with your teeth.

3. cmt is named after the 3 doctors who 'discovered' the disease - dr.'s Charcott, Marie, and Tooth.

4. cmt is one of the most common inherited neurological diseases.

5. cmt is progressive. that means it gets worse over time.

6. cmt affects the hands and arms, the feet and legs.

7. cmt affects everyone differently - progresses at different rates and to different extents.

8. cmt disrupts the nerves from sending messages to the muscles. The muscles then waste away.

9. I have cmt.

10. My cmt is slow progressing. I was diagnosed six years ago when I tripped constantly and in six months i had 4 sprained ankles, 1 sprained thumb, and numerous bruises and scrapes. With exercise, my foot drop (i wasn't lifting my toes, which is why i was tripping) lessened and i rarely trip now. awareness helps too, i'm very careful when i run. My walking has deteriorated - everyone now asks if i'm limping, and i walk noticeably 'funny'. i can't walk as far- its a big effort, i get tired quickly, and my feet hurt and swell. but i still walk without braces. some people deteriorate much faster.

that's all for now. wish i was a better writer. practice makes perfect, right?