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While his team was in Forest City, working out for the upcoming season with assistant coaches, Meyn learned that he did not have ALS but rather something called Kennedy’s Disease. Kennedy’s is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness and wasting.

The disease is something Meyn, 31, and his family are familiar with. His uncle Craig, his mother’s brother, was diagnosed many years ago when the disease was first recognized and studied. Because little was known about it. Meyn said, his uncle had to go through numerous tests to eliminate different diseases before doctors concluded he suffered from Kennedy’s.

“But I was told that I couldn’t get it, because it skips a generation,” Dusty said last week. “We didn’t have accurate information.”

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Chew said it was the love from his family and close friends that helped him through his darkest periods.

He said: "Sometimes my wife and I may have some squabbles here and there, but she is always there for me. I won't forget how I broke down and cried when I found out I was ill, and my wife told me that we would walk down this difficult path together. ...

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My husband’s body is slowly failing him. He has a rare progressive form of Motor Neurone Disease called Kennedy’s disease and has gone from being physically active to depending on crutches and a wheelchair to get around. At night he breathes with the help of a machine that supports his weakened chest muscles.

Few people have heard of Mark’s disease, let alone understand what it is like to live with it.