My introduction

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with CMT at the age of 50-- just over a year ago. In many ways I

welcomed the answer that the diagnosis provided to the riddle of whathas been

" wrong " with me all these years-- particularly as a child-- my clumsiness,

deformed feet, scoliosis-- and the resulting ridicule I felt from other people--

as well as my siblings. In other ways, however, I have been in a form of denial.

Having had Lyme Disease in the early 1990’s, I know what it's like to have an

" invisible " disease. As some of my co-workers at that time said, " You don't look

sick " .

The denial mechanism also makes it a lot easier to pretend that nothing is

" wrong " with me. After all, I have a Master's degree, I studied abroad, I work

full-time, I have traveled on three continents… the list goes on. Of course the

reality is that I can hardly stand for more than a few minutes without needing

to lean on or hold on to something, I can't climb stairs without a railing

(preferably two), and most days when I get home from work my legs and feet hurt

so much I feel like I can’t walk. If it weren't for a

supportive husband who does all the grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, and

cleaning, as well as a job where I can sit down, and a home on the ground floor,

my " cover " would be blown.

After being in nearly total denial for the past year, I did finally send for

some literature, start reading some books, and make an appointment at a nearby

MDA clinic (the appointment is now just two days away). As I start this New Year

I look forward to continuing to learn what I can about CMT and dealing with it,

realistically-- without feeling sorry for myself. More importantly I look

forward to getting support from, and hopefully giving something back to, this

group as the years go on.

Thank you all, .