Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
I grew up in Singapore watching Chinese dramas every evening with my siblings.
One of my favorite actor , 周初明 Chou Chu Ming, was recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He is such a dedicated and strong actor. Even though he is stereotyped to play comical characters, I know that he has the potential to do well in any acting roles. His role in the 1999 Chinese drama 福满人间 Wok Of Life left a impression on me. I admire him for his courage to tell the truth like it is, even though he has to work hard to survive in the unstable Singapore entertainment business.
It must be devastating for him and his family to receive this sudden news. Allah SWT willing I hope Allah SWT will make it easy for him and a cure can be found for this illness soon.
According to the Families of SMA,
"Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two, is an often fatal disease that destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and even swallowing."
SMA Patients are classified into four types based on milestones achieved at onset of SMA. Type I and II are the most prevalent.
One of my favorite actor , 周初明 Chou Chu Ming, was recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He is such a dedicated and strong actor. Even though he is stereotyped to play comical characters, I know that he has the potential to do well in any acting roles. His role in the 1999 Chinese drama 福满人间 Wok Of Life left a impression on me. I admire him for his courage to tell the truth like it is, even though he has to work hard to survive in the unstable Singapore entertainment business.
It must be devastating for him and his family to receive this sudden news. Allah SWT willing I hope Allah SWT will make it easy for him and a cure can be found for this illness soon.
According to the Families of SMA,
"Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two, is an often fatal disease that destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and even swallowing."
SMA Patients are classified into four types based on milestones achieved at onset of SMA. Type I and II are the most prevalent.
- Type I, or Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, is the most severe form of SMA. Type I SMA strikes infants between birth and six months old. Children affected with Type I cannot sit without support.
- Type II affects infants between seven and 18 months old. Type II patients may be able to sit unaided or even stand with support. They are at increased risk for complications from respiratory infections.
- Type III, also known as Kugelberg-Welander Disease, is the least deadly form of childhood-onset SMA. It strikes children as early as the age of 18 months, but can surface as late as adolescence. Type III patients are able to walk, but weakness is prevalent. Most patients eventually need to use a wheelchair.
- Type IV is the adult form of the disease. Symptoms tend to begin after age 35.
Labels: health
posted by Jiru at
6:58 PM
