Annapolis doctors help Romanian teen walk again

By WENDI WINTERS, For The Capital

Published 06/10/08

Sixteen-year-old Andrei Tipa's struggle to do things normal kids do began when he was about 10 years old. He had trouble running: his left foot began to weaken and muscles in his leg atrophied. He would fall unless he walked carefully.

Wendi Winters - For The Capital Andrei Tipa, 16, and his mother, Clara, 41, are visiting the United States while Andrei recovers from surgery on his foot.

The child from Romania who loves watching wrestling matches, was losing his ability to use his own body. It was being wrested away from him, bit-by-bit by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder.

Through the Helping Hands Foundation, two Annapolis physicians recently performed surgery on Andrei's foot and ankle to help him walk.

Meanwhile, members of the community are helping Andrei and his...

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More information on CMT - June 11, 2008

Good luck Andrei. I'm glad you received help. There is new research launched from the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (www.CMTinfo.org) called the Strategy to Accelerate Research (STAR). Advances in science lead researchers to believe that through STAR therapies will be available in 3-5 years and a cure within 10 yrs. In some cases, they may be able to reverse the disorder. Please go to their website (www.CMTinfo.org) for more information.

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Lori Garvey - Pittsburgh, PA - Karma: Bad