By Greg Higgins

N.B. proclaims September Muscular Dystrophy Month

Aug 30, 2016 | 10:23 AM

A parent’s worse nightmare is burying their child and one mother is fighting to spread awareness of a fatal disease in the hopes that she doesn’t have to.

September has been proclaimed Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in North Battleford. Geraldine Coolidge doesn’t just work for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC); she lives with the effects of the disease every day.

“My son Preston was diagnosed with the disease when he was six,” Coolidge said. “He was able to run around and play like normal. Now he is 10 and in the last few months he is slowly regressing to the point where we will eventually see him take his last step.”

There are 164 different diseases in the Muscular Dystrophy (MD) spectrum. Preston was diagnosed with Duchenne, which is one of the most fatal forms of MD and is incurable. People with the disease usually lose the use of their legs by age 12 and have difficulties breathing, along with heart disease by 20. Coolidge said it used to be referred to as a “death sentence.”

She is optimistic a cure can be found through education of the disease.

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“It’s crucial we spread awareness,” Coolidge said. “Not only as an organization but for parents to have hope that one day people’s muscles won’t work against them and claim way to many lives, way to soon. Without awareness we have no hope for a cure.”

According to Canadian statistics, the disease affects one in 3,500 kids. There are 300 known cases in Saskatchewan and 50,000 Canada wide. Coolidge believes there are more cases, because less extreme ailments, like carpel tunnel, may go unreported.

Coolidge got involved with MDC two years ago. She described it as an eye opening experience as she met with other families affected by the disease.

The Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Walk is scheduled for Sept. 10 and is expected to raise roughly $30,000. The event begins at 2 p.m. with registration at 1 p.m.

Coolidge urges people to start their own walk in their communities to help support the cause.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.

by Greg Higgins

N.B. proclaims September Muscular Dystrophy Month

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