2. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
3. Interviews

Kathi's interview

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How did all start?

I started having drop foot around age 6.

Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?

I was diagnosed with CMT Type 2 at age 7, and it was confirmed at Mayo Clinic.

What has been the most useful thing for you so far?

AFO’s for my CMT

What have been your biggest difficulties?

My hands are severely atrophied and weak, and that has been more difficult than my feet. And…..pain. I never had pain when I was younger. Now….it’s constant

How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?

Nobody understands….

What things have you stopped doing?

Wearing normal clothes, rarely drive, walking any distance

What do you think about the future?

Just biding my time…..

So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?

My teenage years. I had stabilization surgery at Mayo in the 70’s. I’ve always been fairly athletic and in my teenage years, I played Basketball, Softball & Volleyball.

What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?

Still play sports. Be more adventurous.

If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?

Good childhood and young adulthood. Started getting tough in my late thirties.

Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?

Do not let CMT stop you from doing what you want to do. Do it until you can’t do it any more.

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