Architectural Designs

what is your experience with Charcot Marie Tooth disease?

I have a friend that was recently disgnosed--I don't know teh specifc type right now....we have been reasearching online--inlcuding the CMT organization and MDA--but there is little info on mobility issues.. do some or most people with CMT need a wheelchair at some point or do most people remain ambulatory-and just need braces-maybe a cane? we are aware of what the MDA and CMT sites say--we are looking for more--- he is planning on buying a house next year--should he look for something that will accomodate a wheelchair without expensive modifications--he is looking for a ranch style (without steps), but does he need to be concerned about gettiing a wheelchair through doorways and maneuvering in the bathroom, Kitchen, tight corners, etc?

Public Comments

1. Better safe than sorry - if he can find something that will accomodate a wheelchair then I would say to go for it. That way, down the road if it is needed, then he will be set and not have to worry about it.
2. Quite a lot of people with this disease find it convenient to use a mobility scooter at some point, so ramps etc might be useful. It might also be useful to look into the idea of companion animals. I once had a client a young person with this disorder, and we ( worked in a rehabilitation centre at the time) had a very large mountain dog trained as a companion animal, so that if the person fell over, they could use the dog to get back up again into a chair or something. The dog also was trained to wear little saddle bags and go with the person to college to carry their textbooks. The dog was also trained to answer the door, fetch things, pick things up, It was very helpful.