Team CMT News

Team CMT at Bike New York

"You must be the change you want to see in the World."- Mahatma Gandhi

Team CMT members have been busy with all kinds of activities to raise awareness of CMT and money for CMT research.

Bernadette Scarduzio

The Film "Bern's Life" has been accepted by the New York Film Festival.  It stars Team CMT member Bernadette Scarduzio. She allowed a camera to follow her around for over a year to document the effect of CMT on her life.  The film directed by Josh Taub, is the first full length film on this subject and will be shown on October 21st at 2:00 p.m. This film will help to bring important awareness of CMT which is the number one hereditary neuropathy in the World. It is a nerve and muscle disorder, which causes the body to deteriorate over time.  CMT is passed from parent to child, is often mis-diagnosed and often is not talked about in families.  It is as prevalent as Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  Thanks Bernadette for your courage and openess and for willing to be the face of CMT.  I hope to meet you someday soon!

2012 Summer Olympic and Para-Olympic Teams at White House

What is better than being a National Champion cyclist or competing at the Para-Olympics?  Well maybe joining other Olympic and Para-Olymic athletes at the White House. Team CMT member got a chance to go the White House this week.  What a thrill and an honor for Anthony and well deserved!

Dells Half Marathon

Schlitz Park 5K

Our athletic Team CMT members have been busy all over the country. Robert Kearney and Cheryl Monnat of Milwaukee, particpated in two races this week. On Thursday they ran in the Schlitz Park 5K where Robert won 2nd in his age group. On Saturday they also ran in the Wisconsin Dells half marathon. Way to go Robert on the medal.  Your age group is tough one.  They ran in the cold and rain on Thrusday which should be good training for the Dublin Marathon they will be running at the end of October.

Kevin Klein

Team CMT was represented at the Tri Rock Triathlon in Lake Geneva. They had to get up at the insane time of 3:30 and 4:00 a.m.  There should be some kind of award for that. No pictures from the event yet. I will post those when the pro pictures are put up for sale. I did have a nice picture from when Kevin represented Team CMT at the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon this June.

Kristin Crosby Cezat

Other members are busy training for events. Kristin Crosby Cezat of Orlando Florida is just two weeks away from her Iron man Florida race. Joe Torello and Kristin Harris are training for the Philadelphia Half Marathon.

Joy Von Werder

Joy Von Werder of Orlando Florida,just finished up the design today for some Team CMT tee shirts we can sell for fundraising. More details to follow.

Allison Moore

HNF President Allison Moore of New York, represented Team CMT at a recent conference. Part of her presentation was about Team CMT. I did a PowerPoint slide with a college of Team CMT pictures. We looked great so keep those pictures coming. There are some really exciting new programs on the way to help raise awareness that we will tell you about soon.

So many of you on Team CMT are working so hard. It is so inspiring to see all the different things team member are doing to carry on our mission. I am so proud to be part of this team. Thanks to everyone for contributing in your own unique ways! Whether racing, presenting at a conference or meeting the President at the White House we are all making a difference.

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have almost 100 members in 17 states. If you wish to join us visit our web site.

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.