Q: I am suffering from myotonia (Thomsen's disease) since childhood. I am facing difficulty in walking and other activities. I tend to go into depression, inferiority complex etc. Please suggest how to cope up with Thomsen's disease and how to maintain a lifestyle?

A:Any major disability can be tolerated or even used to advantage. Thus Stephen Hawkings is the best known physicist despite total paralysis and inability to talk. A positive attitude requires a role model as was pointed to by Christopher Reeves, and sometimes this can best be derived from support groups. The emphasis in all such cases is to maintain a purpose, loving relationships and a sense of being one of many. Unfortunately in this era of terrorist bombs and viscious wars many people have had to survive and create meaningful lives following maiming injuries. Physical and occupational therapy with high goal setting is essential as is a resignation to being a special person when one is severely disabled. There is no simple solution, but one has to seek ones own optimal pathway in life.