The Progress Club met on Nov. 6. Darcy Leech spoke on her experience of surviving and thriving in a family with genetic disease.
Two members of Darcy’s family were stricken with a form of Muscular Dystrophy. This disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and pain. One type of this myotonic disease is adult onset, which is more slowly manifested. The other type is a more pronounced and aggressive. Another name for generational progression is genetic anticipation, meaning with each generation, the disease symptoms worsen.
Being the sibling that was not afflicted, Darcy struggled with guilt. There was a 50-50 chance that she could have had this myotonic disease. Darcy has written a book telling the story of this genetic disease and the effect it had on her family. She has been a guest speaker at national conferences. Meeting people with similar stories about their family experiences has given Darcy friends across the country.