Gina KC and Harold Fontana had been on the lookout for a supportive group. They discovered it, and one another.
SILVER SPRING, Md. — Love is claimed to be a many splendored factor that may fortunately be present in quite a lot of locations. A espresso store. The concession line at a Nats recreation. And naturally, the web – which is the place Maryland inter-abled couple Gina KC and Harold Fontana discovered group – and one another.
Their love story begins a number of years in the past when Gina, whose daughter was coping with muscular dystrophy, created a Fb group to attach with different people and households going through neuromuscular illness.
Effectively, the primary individual to enroll, two days in, was Harold, a Silver Springs native who himself is coping with SMA, Spinal Muscular Atrophy – a uncommon illness that over time strips victims of their bodily energy and talent to stroll, swallow, and breathe. Neither was on the lookout for romance, however a connection was made, and so they’ve been collectively ever since.
And for Gina, Harold was, in her phrases, a godsend.
He offered a wellspring of data on neuromuscular illness, together with introducing her to docs at DC Kids’s Hospital who decided by means of genetic testing that her daughter suffers a uncommon type of muscular dystrophy. And it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Gina would make a everlasting transfer to Silver Springs. For her daughter, and coronary heart.
Neuromuscular ailments like muscular dystrophy and SMA are progressive. These coping with them will sooner or later require an increasing number of care, which might put a pressure on the individuals round them. A incontrovertible fact that Harold made clear to Gina as their relationship grew, telling her that caring for him could be arduous with SMA turning him right into a quadriplegic.
Her response? “I’ve obtained you. It’s not a job, it’s my pleasure.”
Gina cares for him 24/7, and as such, she’s needed to change her occupation. Previously a volunteer firefighter, she’s now a revealed creator, writing and illustrating the seven-book Owen The Smart Previous Owl kids collection. Which seeks to assist kids higher perceive themes of bodily variations and self-acceptance by means of storytelling.
Gina and Harold are fairly proud of one another and have a bit of recommendation for anybody, ready bodied or in any other case, searching for group or companionship.
Be open to potentialities and don’t decide a e-book by it’s cowl, since you simply could also be lacking out on happiness.
Gina remains to be moderating the now near 900 member Fb group, and it’s open to new members, so in case you or a member of the family is coping with a neuromuscular dysfunction, a supportive group is a mouse click on away. Harold is doing properly due to new medical therapies which are obtainable. August is SMA consciousness month, and you will discover details about it, prognosis and coverings right here.
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