[plldgrn]

Hi,

My name is Mark Z and I have what is called Adult Onset HemiDystonia, which means that I have dystonia on one side of my body. It hit me once I turned 40, and I was turned from an "Athletic Go Getter" into an "Internet Answer Seeker" as this disorder has quickly turned things upside down. My whole left side is affected, and walking and use of my left hand are the kinds of adventures I'd rather not pursue. No doctor understands what is happening, and cannot tell me how much I will deteriorate as time passes. I am here to research, try to understand what I am up against, and what I need to do to cope with this disorder. It is great that these communities exist, as many people feel that this kind of thing "only happens to them". I look forward to a continual information exchange, and am glad to meet all of you within this community!