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The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of genetic diseases characterised by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles which control movement. There are many forms of muscular dystrophy, some noticeable at birth (congenital muscular dystrophy), others in adolescence (Becker MD), but the 3 most common types are Duchenne, facioscapulohumeral, and myotonic. These three types differ in terms of pattern of inheritance, age of onset, rate of progression, and distribution of weakness. Duchenne MD primarily affects boys and is the result of mutations in the gene that regulates dystrophin - a protein involved in maintaining the integrity of muscle fibre. Onset is between 3-5 years and progresses rapidly. Most boys become unable to walk at 12, and by 20 have to use a respirator to breathe. Facioscapulohumeral MD appears in adolescence and causes progressive weakness in facial muscles and certain muscles in the arms and legs. It progresses slowly and can vary in symptoms from mild to disabling.Myotonic MD varies in the age of onset and is characterised by myotonia (prolonged muscle spasm) in the fingers and facial muscles; a floppy-footed, high-stepping gait; cataracts; cardiac abnormalities; and endocrine disturbances. Individuals with myotonic MD have long faces and drooping eyelids; men have frontal baldness. This volume presents leading-edge research results on MD. ... Read more

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In the middle of the 19th century, muscle paralysis captured the interest of anatomists. Later on, pathologists and clinicians also became interested in the disease. The clinical features of the disease were largely defined by the English physician Meryon and the French physician Duchenne. It has now become clear that Meryon made the first systematic clinical and pathological study of the type of dystrophy with whose name Duchenne is usually associated, although Duchenne extended the observations, and many investigators since then have identified a variety of muscular dystrophies. This illustrated and comprehensive historical account deals successively with the early history of muscular dystrophy, refinements of its clinical picture, heterogeneity and nosology, the biochemistry, pathogenesis and the molecular genetics of the disorder and, finally, gene therapy. The story of advancing medical knowledge from relatively simple observations to the complexities of genetics is enhanced by biographical details of the many individuals themselves who have made significant contributions to the subject.This book should be of interest not only to those concerned with neuromuscular disease, but to all historians of medicine and science. ... Read more

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Discusses the cause, symptoms, and treatment of muscular dystrophy and examines research into treatment and a possible cure. ... Read more

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Molecular and Cell Biology of Muscular Dystrophy gives aseries of accounts of various aspects of the remarkable breakthroughwhich has been achieved in our understanding of the Duchenne/Beckermuscular dystrophies and of the consequences and ramifications of thisbreakthrough. ... Read more

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In this riveting and thought-provoking memoir about her family, her son Ansel, and his progressive disability, Penny Wolfson embarks on a quest that explores special education, giftedness, prenatal testing, and the genes she shares with her mother, sisters, and son. While Moonrise is an eloquent narrative of one family, it also asks profound questions about our genetic selves.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Mom, it's not about you!!!
My nephew has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, so I approached my reading of this book with some experience of the disease.
I have to say that I was a little turned off by the mother, who I found cold, insensitive and self-absorbed.The book always seemed
to focus more on her and how her son's illness inconvenienced her and screwed up her life.I would have liked to read more about
the boy.Although his struggles were portrayed, the focus of the story always seemed to shift back to the mother.I am not saying
I would have liked a treacly, maudlin, overly sentimental rendition of Ansel's plight, but I found the mother's "voice" strangely
chilly.I also could have done without all the medical stuff which got way too detailed and numbed me.
All in all, what should have been a moving account didn't reach me at all.

bravery in the flesh
This book should appeal to readers who value the hard, loving truth-telling ability of the author, the mother of Ansel, a child with muscular dystrophy. I first read her essay of the same name in Best American Essays, and the book delivered a more edgy, tough potrait of the family. Admirable, credible, and hopeful, the mother is one tough customer, and so is her son. That is the key to surviving and thriving despite the woes of this debilitating, chronic illness. Ansel and his mom (and dad, and siblings) are a real family, in the best sense of the word.

Everything happens for a reason
...I was curious and did read it. And I am very glad that I did. You are a very strong person and have been both a great mother and great friend for Ansel. I was touched and moved by how honestly you expressed your ongoing thoughts and feelings towards the disease and the struggle to deal with it as a mother, a wife and a friend. Indeed it is sad that Ansel or anyone for that matter has to suffer such an illness in life, but not everyone is as lucky to have a mother as strong, defiant and loyal as you, who has such a powerful means of expressing herself through writing. Your whole family must be very proud of you, especially Ansel. I am also impressed by your observations and descriptions of Ansel and how brave and strong he has been all of his life....Ansel is an optimistic skeptic, and brave at that (his will not to give up, I noticed, was something he inherited from you). Many of us, including myself, can learn from someone like him. And in the words of Ansel, "everything happens for a reason."

Inspiring
Moonrise is a powerful book, beautifully written, full of forceful oppositions-health and disability, despair and joy, science and poetry. Were it a writer's imagined construct, it might be considered too calculated, too balanced between the life forces we control and those that control us. However, Moonrise is not a novel, rather a book that recalls the truism that life can be stranger than fiction. Penny Wolfson has written from the depths of her own experience a perfect parable, an inspiring story of the life of her son Ansel, rich in humor, strikingly full of unnerving Dantean imagery, and imbued with tremendous pathos. Though ostensibly concerned with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Moonrise is actually a story about the condition of life and its inherent struggles, speaks to anyone who ponders the eternal mysteries of why we live and how we live. In addition to describing the sobering details of genetic determinism and the wrenching realities of watching a child's body degenerate, Wolfson analyses and celebrates family and all its myriad complexities.

a good book for all ages (exept maybe little kids)
let me let you know, take me seriously with the stars, I really love the book. Penny sounds like someone very kind to everyone and everything, she treats everyone the right way. I still think you won't take me seriously, but you're probably right ignoring me. ... Read more

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Jesus, Muscular Dystrophy, God, Faith, Hope ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hope
This is a heart warming true story that offers the reader so much hope. The author offered me hope with our own struggle through the dystroying disease Muscular Dystrophy. Another book offering hope to those with this harsh disease is " Not all prisons have bars" by Renne Bonds & C.J. Not All Prisons Have Bars ... Read more

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Information on many genetic disorders, and the frequent new findings on them, has been extremely difficult to come by—until now. The “Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders” addresses the need for current, hard-to-find facts on emerging discoveries. The two-volume Encyclopedia, presented in a single alphabetical sequence, provides clear, complete information on genetic disorders, including conditions, tests, procedures, treatments and therapies, in articles that are both comprehensive and easy to understand, in language accessible to laypersons. The articles are arranged in a standardized format for quick comparison and ease of use, while non-disorder topics are covered in detail with extended entries. Students will want to consult the “Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders” for useful information on a range of well known disorders, including Down Syndrome, Trisomy, Hemophilia and Tourette Syndrome, and rarely seen diseases such as Meckel Syndrome, Neuraminidase Deficiency and Phenylketonuria.

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Describes the life, including medical attention and various daily activities, of a nine-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

my reveiw
i found this book not as interestng as another i have previously read. Although i found it helpful in many ways. having a younger sister with Muscular Dystrophy i found this book quite sad. ... Read more

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The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Medical Guide is a publication which has been designed to better help readers understand Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This Qontro Medical Guide has been designed with the reader in mind, and is a useful information source for readers at all levels looking to learn more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Medical Guide is highly recommended for those interested in understanding and learning more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. ... Read more

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Autobiography of a 29-year-old man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a terminal disease for which there is no treatment or cure. The book chronicles his life, the challenges and obstacles he faces daily. The author chose to be main-streamed through school, graduating 'cumma sum laude' from Temple Univeristy. This book is about courage, the determination to succeed, and live a purposeful life. The author is donating all book sales to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, a not for profit organization dedicated to helping improve the treatment, quality of life, and outlook for individuals affected by this disease. ... Read more

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What is it like to live with a chronic illness or disability? How does it feel from the inside? My Body of Knowledge is a collection of personal essays, poetry, and fiction that accesses the wealth of insight and knowledge that people with disabilities have--simply from living in their bodies.My Body of Knowledge includes 34 pieces of writing from both new and established authors, including Molly Ivins, Floyd Skloot, and Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. Honest, raw, humorous, and poignant, the writing captures experiences of those with cancer, Crohn's disease, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscular dystrophy, Lyme disease, repetitive strain injury, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and other conditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Uniquely Enlightening
As a person who was once in the medical profession and now suffering from my own rare ailments and surgeries, this book left me feeling not alone.The form in which it is written enlightened me on other peoples' individual triumphs and struggles.What makes this book even more compelling and different is that the stories come from real people.The outcome is an easy reading book that shares a true gift of camraderie, empathy, education, hope and inspiration to the sick as well as the healthy.

Inspirational
I attended a book signing and met some of the authors ~ there was a huge turnout and everyone had a wonderful afternoon. Of course I bought the book and recommend that you do too. Excellent writing throughout!

A Good Read
Some of these stories will make you say, "If not for the grace of God..." or "It could of been me" or "Geez, I'm lucky." But more than that these essays show me how much more alike I am to everyone than how different. They inspire me to capitalize on what I've got rather than concentrate on what I lack. From that viewpoint, we all have a disability of some sort. In short, these are tales of life lessons and you don't have to be disabled to get something out of them--mainly, a sense of perspective. Professionally written (without being clinical), these are stories you will want to curl up with in a warm bed, not on a cold examination table.

stories that enlighten
This is a wonderful compilation of stories that explores many different conditions of life. Whether you are facing a difficult illness , or not
this book is filled with humor ,and luminous moments. The authors included,
are adept at portraying the challenges and triumphs they have experienced.
I would recommend this book for anyone working in the health field , or anyone , who would like to enjoy a book of diverse and captivating stories.

Somethingfor everybody
I thoroughly enjoyed this diverse collection of pieces about different states of body beingness. I didn't read it cover to cover but rather jumped around, beginning withwhat subjects felt most relevant to me, andsoon found that all contributions had something vital to offer. I appreciated most of all the vivid descriptions of daily life, like the sounds and smells of Karen Myers' climb up a flight of stairs towards dinner,as well as others' similalrly compelling tales ofdealing with life's profundities and humor without sentimentality but with much grace. ... Read more

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This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of authoritative documents on the subject of muscular dystrophy (MD). Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of more than 30 inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness and muscle loss. Some forms of MD appear in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The different muscular dystrophies vary in who they affect and the symptoms. All forms of MD grow worse as the person's muscles get weaker. Most people with MD eventually lose the ability to walk. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Treatments include physical and speech therapy, orthopedic devices, surgery and medications. Some people with muscular dystrophy have mild cases that worsen slowly. Others cases are disabling and severe.For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor reference tools and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from many authoritative sources: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the relevant institute for this disease, and others.In addition to the comprehensive disease-specific coverage, this disc set also includes our Medical Encyclopedia, a $19.95 value! The Encyclopedia presents a collection of official documents about a wide range of medical topics, diseases, illnesses, health and wellness. There is vital information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, and more. Topics covered include: major diseases, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, blood diseases and disorders, lung diseases, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy * CDC Health Topics A to Z, Foodborne Illnesses, Infants and Children, Injuries, Occupational Health, Older Adults, Women * CDC Travelers' Health - Destinations, Vaccinations, Diseases, Mosquito, Tick, Food, Water, Clinics, Yellow Book, Children, Airplanes, Cruise Ships, Special Needs, Relief Workers * Dietary Guidelines * NIH A to Z from abnormalities to X-rays.Since navigating the Internet to find additional non-governmental medical information can be confusing, we've also provided our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites" with updated links to 67 of the best sites for medical information! Built-in weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. ... Read more

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Avoiding hard-to-understand medical jargon, the four-volume “Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health” uses language that parents can understand, while still providing enough depth to benefit today's health science students. The set provides in-depth coverage of pediatric diseases and disorders, along with issues related to physical and cognitive/behavioral development.

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This digital document is an article from Pediatric News, published by International Medical News Group on July 1, 2009. The length of the article is 1227 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: A new era for treatment of muscular dystrophy.(SPECIAL NEEDS: REALIZING POTENTIAL)
Author: Kathryn Wagner
Publication: Pediatric News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2009
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 43Issue: 7Page: 26(1)

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of authoritative documents on the subject of muscular dystrophy (MD). Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of more than 30 inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness and muscle loss. Some forms of MD appear in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The different muscular dystrophies vary in who they affect and the symptoms. All forms of MD grow worse as the person's muscles get weaker. Most people with MD eventually lose the ability to walk. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Treatments include physical and speech therapy, orthopedic devices, surgery and medications. Some people with muscular dystrophy have mild cases that worsen slowly. Others cases are disabling and severe.For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor reference tools and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from many authoritative sources: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the relevant institute for this disease, and others.In addition to the comprehensive disease-specific coverage, this disc set also includes our Medical Encyclopedia, a $19.95 value! The Encyclopedia presents a collection of official documents about a wide range of medical topics, diseases, illnesses, health and wellness. There is vital information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, and more. Topics covered include: major diseases, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, blood diseases and disorders, lung diseases, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy * CDC Health Topics A to Z, Foodborne Illnesses, Infants and Children, Injuries, Occupational Health, Older Adults, Women * CDC Travelers' Health - Destinations, Vaccinations, Diseases, Mosquito, Tick, Food, Water, Clinics, Yellow Book, Children, Airplanes, Cruise Ships, Special Needs, Relief Workers * Dietary Guidelines * NIH A to Z from abnormalities to X-rays.Since navigating the Internet to find additional non-governmental medical information can be confusing, we've also provided our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites" with updated links to 67 of the best sites for medical information! Built-in weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from UXL Complete Health Resource, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 2552 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.This award-winning resource covers the causes symptoms, diagnoses, tests, treatments and prognoses of 140 health problems; the main systems of the human body, including the circulatory system, the endocrine system, special senses and much more; and a detailed examination of nutrition, and medical and mental health issues. ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Ecosa Institute, World Chiropractic Alliance, Peace and Justice Studies Association, Route 66 Association, Arizona Saves, Camp Wildcat, Chicanos Por La Causa, United States Handball Association, United Blood Services, Veteran Feminists of America, Native Public Media. Excerpt:Arizona Saves is a non-profit organization offering free services to promote financial education throughout the state of Arizona . It partners with other non-profit and community development agencies, financial institutions , faith-based organizations, and city governments to provide no-cost financial education for low- to moderate-income individuals and families. The agency is affiliated with America Saves, the Consumer Federation of America 's national campaign with the same mission. It was founded in 2003 in response to the decline of savings in Arizona. It encourages saving for an emergency fund, an education, reducing debt, and retirement. In addition to financial education, it offers motivational workshops, financial counseling, and access to no-fee savings accounts . Mission Arizona Saves empowers Arizonans to build sustainable self-sufficiency by advancing healthy money management through education, saving, debt reduction, and asset building. Financial Education Arizona Saves provides financial education workshops that are free and available to the public. The classes are taught by certified volunteers with backgrounds in finance, education, and business. Approximately 400 volunteers throughout the state are trained to teach Arizona Saves' specialized curriculum. Workshops Arizona Saves' financial education is typically delivered in a three-part series of workshops that include: Additional workshops offered: Foreclosu... ... Read more