John Mora

Toronto, ON

Good evening, my name is John. I was diagnosed with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy on January of 2015. Before my diagnosis I used to train MMA and kickboxing, live a normal lifestyle. I wanted to be a professional MMA fighter originally, however 5 years ago during my training sessions, I started noticing my right foot started to drag and drop, I thought I was over training my body. I then went to the doctor the following day to schedule an appointment, my old doctor just brushed it off and thought I was over training, prescribed me to take 2 weeks off from training which I agreed. As the days passed by my muscles started to spasm, stiffen, cramp, my foot drop started to get worse, I had trouble breathing, had trouble sleeping, and my right shoulder started to wing. At the time I did not know what it was, but then I went back to the doctor and told him something was going on with my body, he didn’t seem to be enthusiastic or amused, thought I was making it up, but I insisted him to set an appointment with a neurologist, the doctor granted me the appointment. Later on the following week I met with the Neurologist where he performed an ECG, EMG, And a couple of other tests. On the EMG test it showed that there was nerve damage within my Tibialis Anterior muscle and it startled the Doctor, to set up an appointment at Sunnybrook hospital given that he suspects it is ALS. At the time I did not know what ALS was then I started researching on the condition and i was in shock, I said to myself “no! how can I have that, I take care of my body”. Months later when the appointment with Sunnybrook hospital arrived, I met with the Doctor, did the same testing as with the Neurologist only difference I had to wear a heart monitor for 2 days to see if any abnormalities are occurring with my heart. After the testing I waited a few months for the results, at the mean time I was researching on nutrition and ways to combat the condition. (I like to take initiative) As the appointment date came in, I met with the Sunnybrook Doctor in Toronto, Ontario and he confirmed tbat that I did not have ALS; However he feels that there is a chance I may have FSHD Muscular Dystrophy. I once again started to research on FSHD Muscular Dystrophy and was startled a bit, however I said to myself “I might as well research on all the different types and other neurological conditions such as Cerebral palsy, Parkinsons, Transverse Myelitis, Spinal cord injuries, MS, etc, anything that was neuro related. The Sunnybrook Doctor sent me to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario to meet with a Geneticist, who specializes in identifying genetic disorders. I Met with the Doctor and she conducted the same testing as the other Doctors, but this time took my blood and had to wait a year for the results given that my blood was sent to Dubai to figure out if there is a genetic mutation. A year passes by, On January of 2015, I meet the Geneticist for the results and she confirmed that I had FSHD Muscular Dystrophy. At first I was bummed out, however I did extensive research that I started switching my diet, workout routine, and decided to go to Humber College to study Fitness and Health promotions. I recently graduated the program and learned alot on subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Group Exercise, Nutrition, Motor learning and etc. In the program I did my internship at a place called Aim2Walk Neuro rehabilitation centre in where I worked with individuals with Neurological conditions and Spinal cord injuries. The experience was one I will never forget given that it was very positive and I actually got to help individuals improve their mobility and overall lifestyle. This motivated me to start my own Facebook page called “Fitness and Health Tips for Muscular Dystrophy” where I find research articles that support the idea of exercise being medicine for individuals with neurological condition. I really want to bring a positive change