JUVENILE DERMATOMYOSITIS (JDM)
JDM is a rare auto immune disease where the body’s immune system recognises the muscles and skin as being “foreign”. The body turns on itself by activating its infection-fighting processes but then cannot stop the process. This results in extensive damage to the muscles and skin.
Some children experience a mild form of the disease, while others follow a more severe disease course. Left untreated, the condition has caused fatalities. Sometimes there is inflammation of the muscles of the oesophagus making it difficult to swallow. Inflammation of the lungs makes it difficult to breathe. Additionally, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract causes bowel difficulties.
A child with JDM has great difficulty climbing stairs, getting up from the floor or from a chair. The child needs to rest often and lacks the energy for normal activities and it becomes difficult for them to keep up with their friends and peers.
Additionally, the sun is a major contributing factor that increases the activity of the disease, and can bring the disease out of remission. The impact of limiting sun exposure, socially and emotionally on a child, and their family, is massive.
JDM care to cure foundation aims to:
1. Provide much needed support and guidance for JDM children and their families;
2. Increase JDM education and awareness to all health professionals nationally, regarding the signs and symptoms and importance of early diagnosis and;
3. Set up a multidisciplinary JDM clinic where JDM patients can receive specialised care from trained health professionals.