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Vocational Rehabilitation Eligibility Awareness August/September Awareness: Muscular Dystrophy Mu s c u l a r d y s t r o p h y i s a g r o u p o f m e d i c a l l y i n h e r i t e d c o n d i t i o n s t h a t c a u s e p r o g r e s s i v e w e a k n e s s a n d b r e a k d o w n o f t h e m u s c l e s , g r a d u a l l y l e a d i n g t o d i s a b i l i t y . I t i s i n h e r i t e d a n d q u i t e r a r e ( f e w e r t h a n 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 c a s e s p e r y e a r i n t h e U . S . ) . I t r e s u l t s f r o m a c h a n g e i n a n i n d i v i d u a l ’ s g e n e s t h a t c o n t r o l t h e s t a b i l i t y a n d f u n c t i o n i n g o f m u s c l e s . T h e r e i s n o c u r e f o r m u s c u l a r d y s t r o p h y ; h o w e v e r , f o l l o w i n g a c o n s i s t e n t t r e a t m e n t r e g i m e n m a y h e l p m a n a g e s y m p t o m s o v e r t h e c o u r s e o f o n e ’ s l i f e t i m e . Symptoms: Onset of symptoms varies; it is dependent on the type of dystrophy and the muscles that may be affected. Progressive muscle weakness Difficulty walking, jumping or running Difficulty in getting up from a lying or sitting position Muscle pain and stiffness Inability to relax muscles when needed Walking on toes Difficulty with lifting the front part of the foot Treatments There is no cure for muscular dystrophy and treatment aims at managing the symptoms. Medications *Corticosteroid medications (prednisone): Improves muscle strength and slows down muscle weakness Creatine supplements: Used to improve muscle strength Heart medications (i.e. acebutolol – atenolol): Used to improve working of heart muscles Self-Care: Get pneumonia vaccination to prevent respiratory infections Eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet Do not miss your follow-up visits Medical procedures: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) / general surgery Therapies : Exercise therapy / Physical therapy / Occupational therapy Other complications of progressive muscle weakness include: Trouble walking. Some people with muscular dystrophy eventually need to use a wheelchair. Trouble using arms. Daily activities can become more difficult if the muscles of the arms and shoulders are affected. Shortening of muscles or tendons around joints (contractures). Contractures can further limit mobility. Breathing problems. Progressive weakness can affect the muscles associated with breathing. People with muscular dystrophy might eventually need to use a breathing assistance device (ventilator), initially at night but possibly also during the day. Heart problems. Muscular dystrophy can reduce the efficiency of the heart muscle. Swallowing problems. If the muscles involved with swallowing are affected, nutritional problems and aspiration pneumonia can develop. Feeding tubes might be an option. Curved spine (scoliosis). Weakened muscles might be unable to hold the spine straight. Muscular Dystrophy: Symptoms, Causes, and More (healthline.com) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscular-dystrophy/symptoms-causes/syc- 20375388 Contact your local Job Developer/Vocational Rehabiltiation Counselors: Jamie Bokuro, 541-444-8266, ext. 1213 (Siletz) Makayla Jackson, 541-484-4234, ext. 1752 (Eugene) Toni Leija, 503-390-9494, ext. 1861 (Salem) Tamra Russell, 503-238-1512, ext. 1411 (Portland) “Hi, I can help with OHP .” Do you need help with OHP? You don’t have to leave your home to apply! Applications can now be done online or over the phone. The Health Care Marketplace is open now through May 15, 2021. 541-444-9611 Shop for health plans at https://or.checkbookhealth.org/ or call direct at 855-268-9767. Need Rental Housing? The Siletz Tribal Housing Department encourages you to apply for the Low-Income Rental Program waiting list in Siletz (1-4 bedrooms) and Lincoln City (2-3 bedrooms – Neachesna Village). Applications can be obtained at any Tribal area office (Eugene, Salem, Portland, Siletz) or online from the Tribal website – ctsi.nsn.us; follow links – Tribal Services-Housing-Low Rent Apartments & Home Ownership. Questions? Call 800-922-1399, ext. 1322, or 541-444-8322; fax: 541-444- 8313 August 2022 • Siletz News • 13
