[Hey! I'm Here, Too!] [By Irwin M. Siegel, M.D.; Illustrated by Elise Mills; © 1989 Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. All rights reserved.]
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[boy asking...]


WHAT IS DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?

Your brother has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is an inherited disease that causes muscles to get very weak. Inherited diseases are passed down from one generation to the next in the same family.
 


IS THERE A CURE FOR IT?

 [girl asking...]

No, not yet. But scientists now know what causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This information will help them find a cure.
 
[boy asking...]


WHO CAN GET DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?

This disease starts to show symptoms in early childhood. It almost always affects boys. Girls hardly ever have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
 


IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY A DISEASE THAT ONLY CHILDREN GET?

 [girl asking...]

Only children get Duchenne muscular dystrophy. There are other forms of muscular dystrophy that only adults get. These are very rare, and it would be extremely unusual if your mother or father got one of these diseases.
 
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