At age three, Crabtree was diagnosed with Congenital Nemoline Myopathy, one of the muscle diseases covered by MDA’s research and care programs. Her diagnosis causes her to have a delay in gross and fine motor skills. She receives physical and occupational therapy. Because her muscles are weak, some physical activities are more difficult and cause her to tire quickly, but at summer camp she can participate in every activity because of the camp’s special equipment.
“Emily is a very upbeat child and makes the best out of situations. She doesn’t let her muscle disease slow her down,” reports her mother, Tara.
Crabtree is outgoing, considerate, polite and makes friends easily. She is not afraid to try new things and maintains a positive attitude in spite of her physical limitations. Emily enjoys singing, fishing, swimming, drawing, dancing, horseback riding, baton twirling, cheerleading, gymnastics and playing baseball. Emily loves nature and catching critters with her little brother and loves animals.
MDA is dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases amd provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. In Missouri, MDA clinics are located at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mercy Hospital inSpringfield and Joplin, and University of Missouri in Columbia.