MDA Muscle Walk

By: Doreen Scanlon

Email: dscalon@abc6.com

Twitter: @ScanlonABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Melanie Carson from Rumford, RI is not letting her muscular dystrophy keep her down.

For years, she suffered with pain and fatigue with no real explanation from doctors about what was happening to her.

About five years ago, she was finally diagnosed with Miyoshi Myopathy, which is a rare form of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy.

Melanie refused to let this disease stop her from living life on her terms.

She has been busy these past few years ticking off destinations from her travel bucket list and this July, she and her husband will welcome a baby boy.

Melanie has also dedicated herself to helping find a treatment or cure.  She and her MDA Muscle Walk team “Melanie’s Indomitable Will” have raised tens of thousands of dollars for research for neuromuscular diseases.

She says she feels lucky that her case is mild as there are so many others out there who have trouble breathing or who are terminal.

This year’s Muscle Walk is Saturday, May 20 at 10 a.m. at Roger Williams Temple to Music. Doreen Scanlon will serve as emcee.  It is open to all ages and abilities and the course is wheelchair and equipment friendly.

For more information visit MDA.org. 

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017