A young man diagnosed with an incurable, progressive disease has revealed the first signs and symptoms he experienced in a bid to help others and spread awareness.
Mikey Stone was just 25 years old when he was given the life-changing news that he was living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a ‘100% fatal’ neurodegenerative disease that can rapidly have a severe impact on the life quality of its sufferers.
Also known as Motor Neurone Disease or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the rare and complicated condition affects motor neurons, the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. Tragically, there is no known cure for the disease, which leaves its victims with an average life expectancy of just two to five years following the onset of symptoms.
For Stone, now just 26 years old, the diagnosis was devastating. On social media, he explained that he was in the prime of his life, enjoying time with friends and making plans to get out and see the world.
Following his heartbreaking diagnosis, the courageous young man is now using social media to openly talk about the condition, as well as to inform and warn others about the first symptoms he noticed in his own body.
On his TikTok channel, @mikeystonemusic, Stone explained how “the nerves that control my body are dying. Slowly, I’m becoming paralysed.”
“People with ALS eventually lose the ability to talk, walk, eat and breathe,” he went on.
Recalling the initial signs of the disease, Stone now wants to give other sufferers the best possible chance of catching ALS in its early stages.
“It started small,” he said. “I noticed my foot twitching and my muscles tightening. Then, the weakness crept in.
“First my legs, my left arms, my hand…and it hasn’t stopped.”
Despite his tender age, Stone now needs to use a wheelchair “50% of the time”, as well as a ventilator to assist his breathing while he sleeps.
“I want to spread awareness,” Stone said. “And encourage people to support ALS research because research means more clinical trials, better treatments and hopefully, one day, a cure.”
Join us to send prayers and hope in Mikey Stone’s direction. Meanwhile, help us spread his message by sharing this article!
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