Types of Disabilities

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• ALS - Lou Gehrig Disease

  ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  ALS is a rapidly progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease. It attacks the motor neurons responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the brain to the voluntary muscles throughout the body. When these muscles fail to receive messages, they eventually lose strength, atrophy and die. There is no known treatment, a famous baseball player in the U.S. during the 1930's, became afflicted with ALS. He was known as baseball's "Iron man". Strength, agility, excellent health Lou Gehrig had everything it took to become a baseball legend. But Lou Gehrig had something else. At the peak of his career, he was diagnosed as having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He died at the age of 38.

  For More Information: ALS Society of Canada
  

• Amputee

  There are two types: congenital and acquired.

  • Congenital - may vary from absence of one or part of one limb at birth.
  • Acquired - could be the result of an accident or from surgical removal as a lifesaving measure to arrest disease, i.e. infection or cancer.

  For More Information: War Amps of Canada

   
  

• Arthritis

  Arthritis is inflammation of the synovium, a thin tissue lining each joint capsule, inflammation of the joint from crystals or from infection, or inflammation of the area where tendons insert into bones. Left untreated, inflammation can cause permanent damage to the cartilage, bone, and tendons and lead to pain, deformity and trouble with physical tasks. The term "arthritis" refers to over 100 different types of rheumatic disease. Although the disease process for all types of arthritis differs from person to person and from disease to disease, all types of arthritis have certain features in common, which sometimes makes it difficult to accurately diagnose. Approximately 40 million people are affected by arthritis. The term arthritis refers to a group of disorders, which involve the body's joints and have similar symptoms. The symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints and the surrounding area. Some types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis affects each person differently. It may attack one or more joints suddenly or gradually and may be constant and progressive or seem to come and go. Unfortunately the effects of arthritis are usually chronic, meaning that they will last a long time, perhaps for a lifetime. How much arthritis will affect a patient's ability to function will be determined by the severity of the condition, which joints are affected, and for how long.

  For More Information: Arthritis Society of Canada
  

• CMT-Charcot-Marie Tooth

  Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a slowly progressive, neuromuscular disorder which can affect the feet, legs, hands, arms, spine, vocal cords, breathing and other areas of the body. We recognize that CMT can affect your life in many ways both physical and psychological. We also discuss hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). CMT is actually a broad term used to describe a group of genetic disorders that affects the peripheral nerves, which carry motor (relating to movement) and sensory (relating to sensation) signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.

  For More Information: Charcot Marie Tooth Association
  

• Cerebral Palsy

  Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of cerebral palsy is a "non-progressive" but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain. Development of the brain starts in early pregnancy and continues until about age three. Damage to the brain during this time may result in cerebral palsy.

  This damage interferes with messages from the brain to the body, and from the body to the brain. The effects of cerebral palsy vary widely from individual to individual. At its mildest, cerebral palsy may result in a slight awkwardness of movement or hand control. At its most severe, CP may result in virtually no muscle control, profoundly affecting movement and speech. Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur:

  1. muscle tightness or spasms
  2. involuntary movement
  3. difficulty with "gross motor skills" such as walking or running
  4. difficulty with "fine motor skills" such as writing or doing up buttons
  5. difficulty in perception and sensation

  For More Information: Cerebral Palsy Associations of Canada
  

• Epidermolysis Bullosa

  Epidermolysis Bullosa, known as EB, is the name of a rare group of genetic skin disorders causing blistering and shearing of the skin from even the gentlest friction and sometimes spontaneously.

  There are three major types of EB; Simplex, Dystrophic and Junctional. These vary from relatively mild to incapacitating, crippling, and sometimes fatal disorders. Within these there are over twenty different sub types of EB, each with their own characteristic symptoms.

  All forms of EB are genetic in origin and the genes responsible for most of the sub-types of the condition are now known. Some still await identification.

  The genetic defects result in the skin cells collapsing or skin layers not adhering properly to each other, causing areas of structural weakness. This fragile skin is particularly vulnerable to damage from friction, causing the continual blistering that is the characteristic feature of the condition.

  For More Information: dEBra Canada
  

• Fibromyalgia

  • Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-al-ja) is widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Ligaments and tendons connect muscles to bones.
  • Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time.

  Although fibromyalgia is a relatively recent term, this syndrome has been known by several other names over the past years, including soft tissue rheumatism, fibrositis and non-articular rheumatism.

  For More Information: The Arthritis Society
  

• Friedreich Ataxia

  Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) is an uncommon, slowly progressive disease of the nervous system, causing an inability to co-ordinate voluntary movements. Control of the muscles is severely impaired, and unsteadiness of walking, clumsiness and tremor of the hands, a tendency to trip and slurring of the speech soon become prominent. Intelligence and the special senses are unimpaired. In the majority FA may affect other parts of the body apart from the nervous system. About two thirds of people have an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) indicating an abnormality of the heart muscle. Nevertheless, this rarely causes symptoms apart from occasional palpitations in a small proportion of people with the disease. The heart muscle usually manages to work normally, although heart failure occurs earlier on average than it does in the rest of the population. Diabetes is more common amongst people with FA; it occurs in about 10 per cent of cases.

  For More Information: Friedriech Ataxia

• Gout

  Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis (joint inflammation). It appears as an acute attack often coming on overnight. Within 12-24 hours there is severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. The skin over the joint may be red and shiny.

  Gout usually affects only one or two joints at a time most often the feet and ankles. The ball of the big toe is the most common site. Without treatment the attack subsides in a week or so and when patients first develop gout there may be intervals of many months or even years between attacks. As time goes by, these tend to become more frequent and more severe and eventually many joints may be involved, sometimes all at the same time. At this stage a state of chronic or continuous joint disease may develop with progressive joint damage, disability and crippling (chronic gout). Gout affects mostly men and is very rare in women until after menopause when it is quite often seen. Gout is very common in New Zealand and it is particularly common in Maoris and Pacific Islands. Some surveys have shown it to be present in up to 10% of adult males.

  For More Information: Arthritis Society of Canada
  

• Guillian Barre Syndrome

  Guillain-Barré (Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome, also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and Landry's ascending paralysis, is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the rapid onset of weakness and often, paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face. Abnormal sensations often accompany the weakness.

  Many patients require an intensive care unit during the early course of their illness, especially if support of breathing with a machine is required. Although most people recover, this can take months, and some may have long term disabilities of varying degrees. Less than 5 percent die. GBS can develop in any person at any age, regardless of gender or ethnic background.

  For More Information: Guillian Barre Foundation or Canadian Directory of Support Groups
  

• Head/Brain Injury

  Head injury, also known as traumatic brain injury, is an injury that results in damage to the brain. Head injury may occur in one of two ways:

  • A closed head injury occurs when the moving head is rapidly stopped, as when hitting a windshield, or when it is hit by a blunt object causing the brain to smash into the hard bony surface inside the skull. Closed head injury may also occur without direct external trauma to the head if the brain undergoes a rapid forward or backward movement, such as when a person experiences whiplash.
  • A penetrating head injury occurs when a fast moving object such as a bullet pierces the skull.

  Both closed and penetrating head injuries may result in localized and widespread, or diffuse, damage to the brain.

  For More Information: Ontario Brain Injury Association
  

• Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

  The K-T syndrome is a rare congenital malformation that may include the following:

  • Port-wine stain or "birthmark" (cutaneous capillary malformations)
  • Soft tissue and bony hypertrophy (excessive growth of the soft tissue and /or bones)
  • Venous malformations & lymphatic abnormalities

  Complications may include bleeding, cellulitis, venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. Associated abnormalities in other systems, such as gigantism of toes, hand and feet anomalies, lymphedema, or involvement of the abdominal and pelvic organs may also occur.

  K-T usually is limited to one limb, but may occur in multiple limbs and/or head or trunk area. Internal organs may be involved. Each case of K-T is unique and may exhibit the above characteristics to differing degrees.

  For More Information: The Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome Support Group
  

• Lupus

  Lupus is the name given to a group of chronic autoimmune diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious type of lupus. With SLE, the immune system that normally protects the body from germs, viruses, and bacteria begins to malfunction. It generates antibodies that attack healthy tissue in different parts of the body. These tissues become inflamed as a result. Inflammation can occur in the skin, muscles, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and the nervous system. SLE can fluctuate between active periods (flare-ups or exacerbation), and times of minimal symptoms or no symptoms (remission).

  For More Information: The Arthritis Society
  

• MS-Mulitple Sclerosis

  Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, at times disabling disease of the central nervous system - the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system, causing inflammation and often destroying the myelin in patches. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis. While MS can cause disabilities, it is important to remember for most people it will be many years before they may require even a cane on a regular basis.

  For More Information: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
  

• MD-Muscular Dystrophy

  Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited condition (i.e. passed on through the genes) that affects the muscles of the body. The term 'muscular dystrophy' refers to a group of different conditions that cause progressive weakness and wasting of the muscles. At present there is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but research into the area of genetics is progressing at a rapid rate.

  The different forms of muscular dystrophy vary depending on:

  • which muscles are affected
  • how severe the symptoms and disability are
  • how old you are when you get it
  • how quickly the disease progresses
  • what pattern of inheritance it follows. For example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type of MD. It is passed on from one generation to the next by females, but the disease itself affects only boys.

  Other common forms of muscular dystrophy include:

  • Becker's muscular dystrophy
  • Myotonic dystrophy
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
  • Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

  For More Information: Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta

  Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause. There are at least four recognized forms of the disorder, representing extreme variation in severity from one individual to another. For example, a person may have just a few or as many as several hundred fractures in a lifetime.

  For More Information: Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation
  

• Parkinson's

  Parkinson's Disease is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative illness characterized by: tremor, stiffness, (rigidity), slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and difficulty with balance (postural instability). The symptoms appear when there is not enough dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical (neurotransmitter) that allows nerve cells to transmit messages between each other and then to muscles to allow normal movement to take place.

  For More Information: Parkinson's Society Canada
  

• Poliomyelitis or Post Polio Syndrome

  The late effects of Poliomyelitis or as it is often called, "Post Polio Syndrome" (PPS), are a variable set of new symptoms ranging from severe fatigue which may follow moderate activity to generalized joint and muscle pain, muscle cramping and progressive muscle weakness. As well, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping and increased sensitivity to cold may be present. A large percentage (up to 50%) of the individuals who contracted paralytic poliomyelitis earlier in their lives are now experiencing at least some of these symptoms.

  Post Polio Syndrome - (PPS) is a disorder of the neuromuscular system that effects many people who had poliomyelitis many years earlier.

  Not all people who had polio develop PPS - symptoms usually develop 15 or more years after an acute polio virus infection that resulted in some degree of temporary or permanent paralysis.

  During the initial attack of polio, some of the nerve cells in the spinal cord that controls muscles ( called motor neurons) are damaged or destroyed. Without impulses from these nerve endings, a muscle cannot function. Fortunately some motor neurons usually survive the polio attack and send out new nerve connections to the orphaned muscle cells in an attempt to take over the function of the nerve cells that wearer destroyed. The process enables an individual to regain at least some use of the affected muscles. However after many years, the over burdened nerve cells may begin to fail.

  For More Information: Post Polio Organization or Ontario March of Dimes National Council

• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

  For More Information: MN RSDS/CRPS Coalition
  

• Scoliosis

  Scoliosis {sko/lee/OH/sis} is a condition in which there is a sideways curve in the spine (which is normally straight when viewed from the back). The curve usually affects the spine at the level of the chest or the lower back.

  Scoliosis is most often noticed in children when they begin to walk or during the teen years. A doctor, nurse or other health care professional is usually the first person to notice scoliosis. Parents don't often notice their childrens' scoliosis because it develops so gradually. They may, however, notice things like uneven hems or crooked shoulders. Scoliosis is gradual without early symptoms.

  There are four types of scoliosis:

  1. It may be present at birth. This is called congenital scoliosis;
  2. It may be caused by other diseases such as polio or cerebral palsy;
  3. It may be caused from birth trauma. Or,
  4. The cause is unknown. This is called ideopathic scoliosis and it accounts for the majority of cases. The curvature begins sometime before or during the teen growth spurt. It is more common in girls. This condition can continue to worsen, causing pain in later years.

  With early detection, scoliosis can be treated and corrected before abnormal bone growth occurs. Severe scoliosis, can interfere with the workings of the heart and lungs.

  For More Information: Scoliosis Reserach Centre
  

• Spina Bifida

  Spina Bifida is a neural tube birth condition, which occurs within the first four weeks of pregnancy. The spinal column fails to develop properly resulting in varying degrees of permanent damage to the spinal cord and nervous system.

  Infants born with Spina Bifida may have an open lesion on their spine where significant damage to the nerves and spinal cord occurs. Although the spinal opening is surgically repaired shortly after birth, the nerve damage is permanent. This results in varying degrees of paralysis of the lower limbs, depending largely on the location and severity of the lesion. Even with no visible lesion, there may be improperly formed or missing vertebrae, and accompanying nerve damage.

  The three most common types of Spina Bifida are:

  Myelomeningocele - the most severe form in which the spinal cord and its protective covering, the meninges, protrude from the opening in the spine.

  Meningocele - the spinal cord develops normally but only the meninges protrude from the openings created by damaged or missing vertebrae and may be exposed.

  Occulta - which means "hidden", indicates that the defect, where one or more vertebrae are malformed, is covered by a layer of skin. Occulta is the mildest form.

  There is no cure. Ongoing therapy, medical care and/or surgical treatments will be necessary to prevent and manage complications throughout an individual's life.

  For More Information: Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario

  
  

• Spinal Cord Injury or Paralysis

  Paralysis is caused by injury or disease to the spinal cord and the degree of paralysis depends upon the level of injury to the spinal cord. An injury to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis of two or four extremities, as well as loss of sensation and bowel and bladder control. Many persons with a spinal cord injury still feel some sensation in the paralyzed parts of their body, or have some control of muscles below the level of injury. This will often occur in the case of an incomplete injury where the spinal cord has been mashed or partially damaged from swelling and bruising. Nerve impulses may still travel through the spinal fibres left intact if the spinal cord has not been completely severed. Consequences of an injury at a particular point on the spinal cord will vary from individual to individual.

  Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower extremities and part or all of the trunk muscles. Usually there is a loss of sensation in paralyzed limbs and other effects such as muscle spasms, pain and loss of bowel and bladder control. Paraplegia occurs when there is an impairment at or below the T1 Thoracic level.

  Quadriplegia occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord in the Cervical region. This will cause impairment to the hands and arms in addition to the effects of paraplegia.

  Hemiplegia is the paralysis of one side of the body as a result of a stroke or traumatic brain injury and should not be confused with paraplegia or quadriplegia. With paraplegia and quadriplegia the brain is not affected. With hemiplegia, there may be an impairment of intellect, personality, speech or senses.

  For More Information: Canadian Paraplegiic Association of Ontario

  
  

• Stroke

  Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, which may cause loss of consciousness, paralysis or death. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in North America and the leading cause of unemployable disability. People who survive a stroke are often paralyzed extensively on one side of the body opposite to the side of the brain affected.

  There are 2 types of stroke:

  • Ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain due to a blood clot blocking a blood vessel.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Each of these types of stroke has different underlying causes

  For More Information: Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
  

• SM-Syringomyelia

  Syringomyelia, often referred to as SM, is a chronic disorder involving the spinal cord. For reasons that are only now being understood, cerebrospinal fluid enters the spinal cord, forming a cavity known as a syrinx. (Doctors sometimes use other words such as cyst, hydromyelia or syringohydromyelia) This syrinx often expands and elongates over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord. As the nerve fibers inside the spinal cord are damaged, a wide variety of symptoms can occur, depending upon the size and location of the syrinx.

  For More Information: Canadian Syringomyelia Network
  

• Wegener's Granulomatosis

  Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) is an uncommon disease, characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). This inflammation damages vital organs of the body by restricting blood flow to those organs and destroying normal tissue. Although vasculitis can damage any organ system, WG primarily affects the respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, trachea [wind pipe] and lungs) and the kidneys. This disorder can occur at any age and strikes men and women equally. The cause of WG is not known. WG may be diagnosed by ANCA blood test and biopsy. Remission is possible in most cases.

  For More Information: WGSG of Canada
  

• Link to more comprehensive alphabetical listings

  Canadian Directory of Genetic Support Groups

  Diseases, Disorders and Related Topics