Articles

We were extremely pleased when PANDA (Paediatric and Neurological Development Association) accepted our invitation to combine with Muscular Dystrophy S.A and Parent Project S.A to present a conference on Duchenne / Becker in South Africa. After much organisation, invitations and planning it was with great excitement that we welcomed Prof Doug Biggar from Toronto Canada, researcher on the use of steroids for Duchenne / Becker boys and Helen Posselt from Australia, leading lecturer on physiotherapy for Duchenne / Becker children, to South Africa. Both are key speakers at the Parent Project M.D conferences in U.S.A.
Under the auspices of Maxine Strydom leader of Parent Project in South Africa, Muscular Dystrophy Foundation S.A and PANDA a road show was undertaken visiting Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. In Cape Town our open day involved lectures in the morning for the Professional community mainly Paediatric Neurologists and Physiotherapists whilst the afternoon session addressed mainly parents, caregivers and extended families. Our meeting was well attended at both sessions with a finger lunch served for those who stayed for both morning and afternoon sessions. Prof Doug Biggar explained the different programmes available for using steroids should it be sought and if the patient was a suitable candidate. Obviously some patients are not able to embark on this treatment and if on the programme strict and regular medical monitoring must take place. He explained the pros and the cons of using steroids and one definite side effect was that the child would be short, very short. Copies of his lecture will be available from the M.D.F. Helen Posselt took the holistic approach to a child having physiotherapy. She emphasized that one should never cause pain and that stretches should be held for 30 seconds with 6 repetitions, distracting the patient and making the exercises fun, often this is so well done that the siblings all want a turn. She also emphasized that over exercising should never occur as you cannot rebuild muscle that is lost and that regular hydrotherapy is best for optimal general as well as the cardio vascular benefit and that daily stretching is very important, as routine as brushing your teeth. Wheelchairs: Motorised wheelchairs are a must when children go off their feet and they do need to be upgraded as needed for posture, growth etc. Her lecture is also available from M.D.F. Our Cape Town branch would like to thank Colin McKenzie, Gauteng P.P. leader for joining us in Cape Town and for putting together the diagnosis and management booklet and making available the CD of the lectures. My sincere thanks to the Cape Town staff for their hard work and for making the conference such an outstanding success.
Win van der Berg
CHAIR PERSON- CAPE BRANCH