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National<br />
What’s stopping you?<br />
By Gerda Brown<br />
Muscular dystrophy is physically destructive, but challenges can be greatly alleviated<br />
with assistive devices, support aids, surgery, physiotherapy, etc. It is the psychological<br />
and emotional issues related to physical disability that cause the main challenges. When<br />
people receive a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, many adjust to it healthily and cope<br />
well but others do not. Feelings of hopelessness, social isolation, frustration and depression<br />
are all very common. The emotional wellbeing of a disabled person is incredibly<br />
important. Several types of interventions may be implemented to achieve wellness, such<br />
as therapy, counselling, support, etc.<br />
Many times, when we hear the word “support”, our minds go straight to formal programmes or services. This is, however,<br />
not always what support means. Support sources can provide assistance in day-to-day needs, provide much needed information,<br />
and provide comfort and assurance that you are not alone.<br />
It is with this in mind that <strong>MDF</strong>SA created a private social group for adults who share the bond of muscular dystrophy. The<br />
support group is based on Facebook and currently has 29 members. Facebook calls it a secret group, and only members will<br />
be able to view the content so as to ensure privacy and confidentiality.<br />
One of our members put it so eloquently: “It's amazing what beautiful difference little support can make, even just a few<br />
encouraging words from someone who cares. It makes your struggle less difficult but no support makes you feel like you<br />
left behind. So let's support each other, in deed, word and prayers.”<br />
If you would like to join us on the group, please leave a message on the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of South Africa<br />
Facebook page. I will gladly add you as a member. I look forward to chatting to you soon.<br />
Did you know?<br />
Alfredo Ferrari (1932-1956) was an Italian automotive<br />
engineer and the first son of automaker<br />
Enzo Ferrari. Alfredo was nicknamed Dino. He had<br />
Duchenne muscular dystrophy and died at the age<br />
of 24. After his death the Ferrari ‘Dino’ was fitted<br />
with the engine that Alfredo was working on and<br />
Enzo Ferrari named the car in honour of his son.<br />
From an early age Enzo groomed Alfredo to be<br />
his successor. Alfredo studied economics in<br />
Bologna before moving to mechanical engineering<br />
in Switzerland. Over time, it became clear that<br />
something was wrong. Doctors had no idea what<br />
was afflicting him and he only managed to complete<br />
two years of his engineering education before<br />
returning to Modena.<br />
In his short career at Ferrari, Alfredo was credited<br />
for the 750 Monza racing car and to a limited<br />
extent a 1.5-litre V6 that would later see action in<br />
Ferrari’s early Formula racers. Alfredo suggested to<br />
his father the development of a 1.5 L DOHC V6 engine<br />
for F2 at the end of 1955. Twelve years later,<br />
to honour his son, Enzo named the Dino series of<br />
road and racing Ferraris using this V-6 engine after<br />
him.<br />
6<br />
Alfredo had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In the<br />
final days of his life, while hospitalized, he discussed<br />
technical details of the 1.5-litre V6 with<br />
fellow engineer Vittorio Jano. Alfredo would never<br />
see the engine, he died in Modena on 30 June 1956<br />
at the age of 24. ...<br />
The Autodromo Dino Ferrari in Italy is also named<br />
in Alfredo’s honour, with his father’s name added<br />
after Enzo Ferrari’s death in 1988.<br />
Article from the website of Concours D’Élégance,<br />
Paleis Het Loo, at: http://www.concourselegance.<br />
com/alfredo-dino-ferrari-died-from-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-60-years-ago-2/
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