Unshelved by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
comic strip overdue media

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Interesting but heartbreaking, I'm sure, for the family to watch

Real Benjamin Buttons Brothers: Matthew and Michael Clark Are Aging Backwards
Diagnosed with a terminal form of leukodystrophy, one of a group of extremely rare genetic disorders that attack the Myelin, or white matter, in the nervous system, spinal cord, and brain. In the Clarks' case, the condition has not only eroded their physical capacities, but their emotional and mental states as well.

Only six years ago, both brothers were holding down jobs and growing their families. Today, they spend their days in the care of their parents, both in their sixties, playing with Mr. Potato Head, fighting over Monopoly, and in rare lucid moments, struggling to understand why their lives have changed so dramatically.
The title's a bit misleading, as they're not really ageing backwards, but because of the disease, the men are emotionally and mentally deteriorating to a child-like state, and they are physically deteriorating as well. Their parents are now in their upper years and caring for their two sons. At least one has a child and grandchild; since it is a genetic disease, I would be worried, especially for the grandson, if it's carried on the X chromosome (which I don't really know). And there are challenges to child-like minds in grown bodies. My heart goes out to those suffering from this and their families.

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