CMT through marriage advice

[Guest guest]

Hello. My name is Jackie and I have been reading the postings on this site for a

couple of

months. I can't thank you enough because it has been quite helpful for me...

My boyfriend of 11 months has CMT1A. I learned of this about a month into our

relationship. I love him immensly and so since then, I have been trying to learn

as much as

possible about CMT and it's implications. I have hoped that with all of my

learning I would

reach a point where I would feel comfortable of what our future together will be

like. And

right now, I feel completely torn. I feel a bit overwhlemed and, unfortunately,

my family,

who I am very close to, are not supportive at all.... largely due to my strong

desire to have

children and my age (24).

My boyfriend and I speak quite openly with one another about our issues, views

and

feelings. And since he is so wonderful, he has been 100% supportive through it

all -

although admitedly, it has taken quite a toll on us at times.

And so I am writing this in hopes of getting some insight from as many

perspectives as

possible.... From someone who has CMT.... from someone married to someone with

CMT...

any issues anyone has faced regarding planning for children knowing that there

is a high

liklihood that a child will have CMT.... I am also curious if anyone has

considered or

undergone IVF/PMG...

My boyfriend is very strong and active and so it is hard for me to envision what

the years

may bring. After each visit he has had with his neurologist, he comes back

saying how

impressed the doctor was with his strength. And when I ask him if he has noticed

any

changes within himself during the last couple of years, he says that if

anything, he noticed

that the grip of his hands is not as strong as it once was but is still strong.

Oh, and just for some background, my boyfriend's mother has CMT as well. They

knew

that he (my boyfriend) had CMT since birth due to his feet and legs. Despite

that, he has

had quite an active childhood being involved in a variety of sports (football,

wrestling, etc).

Today, he does not seem to be very impacted by CMT (he only wears orthotics)

with the

exception of the appearance of his feet and sometimes he complains that his feet

hurt or

are tired.

Any help or advice that anyone would be able to provide me with would be

immensly

helpful!!

Thank you so much!

.... Jackie