Muscular dystrophy has many forms and therefore the symptoms may vary between the variants. General symptoms include weakening of skeletal muscles and failure and death of muscle tissues. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common and affects young boys like Eddie. Eddie is an 11 year old boy and has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Symptoms began at age 5 and led to weakening of the muscles in his legs and arms and the need for a wheelchair. Some of these symptoms include: • Frequent falls • Awkward way of walking • Fatigue and poor stamina • Loss of motor skills (jumping, running) • Possible loss of ability to walk While Eddie is able to move around with the help of a chair on wheels, his muscles shrank and were replaced by fat. Additionally, he has mental retardation due to DMD. However, the intellectual deficit will not worsen over time. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can also affect the hips, shoulder muscles, thighs, and calves. The calves usually swell and the symptoms of DMD get progressively worse. From the age of 10 to 12 the affected person will need the use of a wheelchair. By age 21, most patients will be paralyzed from the neck down. Duchenne muscular dystrophy will appear in affected individuals before the age of 6, and the lifespan of DMD patients is usually around 25 years. Becker muscular dystrophy is similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has similar symptoms, but is much less severe. This is because the affected gene, dystrophin, is still partially functional. Therefore the symptoms appear much later in life and usually the affected person is able to live for... middle of paper... terrifying when I found out they had MD. He was unable to walk properly and his muscles had deteriorated significantly. His whole life changed and I remember him and I crying for long periods. Eddie: I haven't been able to participate in many activities and now I need a wheelchair. I spend most of my time playing video games because it helps me relax my mind. Question: Since you have the disease, has anyone in your family also had the disease? Eddie: I think my father had it... Eddie's Mom: Yes... that's true, but he had died at an early age from the disease. I don't know what I would do if I lost Eddie too! Question: Have you tried to find treatment for Eddie? Eddie's Mom: Yes! I searched almost everywhere on the Internet, but most drugs and medicines are expensive. I still put him through physical therapy. Thanks to Eddie and his mother for the great contribution!