(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Hi, my name is Alyccia and I am writing this letter in the hope of creating a better awareness of Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Charcot Marie Tooth disease is better known as CMT and it affects one in 2,500 people in the United States. According to the European CMT Federation, it is the most common rare disease.

CMT was discovered by doctors Jean Martias Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Henry Tooth in Great Britain in 1886. CMT, which is hereditary, is not widely known and there is currently no cure. Some of the symptoms of CMT are loss of sensation of feet and legs which can lead to falling down, difficulty walking, frequent tripping, issues maintaining balance, as well as others. Many people with CMT would probably agree that living with pain is inevitable. Hopefully one day there will be a cure!

Growing up I was a Make-a-Wish kid and I would like to thank the Make-a-Wish Foundation for that wonderful trip to Disney World in 2011. I am also grateful they give kids the World Village for that special trip as I have a star there. Thank you to WHBR-FM radio “The Bear,” as just before my Disney World trip I was able to share my experience on the radio. Thank you to my mom for signing me up so our family could go on that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Florida. I love you Mom! Thank you to my boy Mark, and our dog Buddy!

Most of all I would like to thank God for making all this possible.

My name is Alyccia and I am one in 2,500!

Alyccia Barker

Parkersburg