Hereditary Neuropathy Awareness: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
HNF-cure.org · Donate: #unSelfie4CMT · NJ Specialists
Source: Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF-cure.org)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), named after the three doctors who first identified it, is one of the most common inherited nerve disorders. CMT affects an estimated 1 in 2,500 people in the United States and 2.6 million people worldwide, although experts believe the number could be much higher. The disease runs in families and causes problems with the nerves that run from the arms and legs to the spinal cord and brain.
Most people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease learn how to manage their symptoms and go on to live fulfilling lives. Generally, the progression of the disease is slow. In many cases, the symptoms are mild, and properly fitted orthotics can help with difficulty in walking. In more severe cases, people with CMT must wear braces or use a wheelchair to get around. In rare cases where CMT causes difficulty with breathing, additional medical consultation is recommended to manage these symptoms.
Even though the number of people affected with CMT exceeds the 2.3 million with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), there is much less awareness and substantially less funding for research towards treatments and a cure.
The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which mission is to increase awareness and accurate diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and related inherited neuropathies, support patients and families with critical information to improve quality of life, and fund research that will lead to treatments and cures.
The #Un-selfie4CMT campaign is not about disability. It is about celebrating and sharing our passions for the activities we are blessed enough to enjoy. We want to encourage others to take a moment of reflection and gratitude for the activities their bodies allow them to do, whether it is playing with their young children, preparing a delicious meal, painting, swimming, running, gardening, dancing, weightlifting. These activities are gifts and should be recognized as so.
To donate $10 for CMT research, text CMT to 501501