article_snippet.sent: Joel Wilkinson, five, was diagnosed withDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy six months ago, meaning Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy muscles will slowly waste away.
article_snippet.sent: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will eventually need a wheelchair and has a life expectancy of just 20.  
article_snippet.sent: Mrs Wilkinson said: 'We were heart broken when We discovered that Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy had such an awful terminal disease. '
article_snippet.sent: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness.
article_snippet.sent: Duchenne muscular dystrophy usually only affects boys (around one in 3,500), although girls can carry the defective gene.
article_snippet.sent: Boys with Duchenne's will have difficulty with walking, jumping and climbing stairs.
article_snippet.sent: Most most people with Duchennes survive well into Most most people with Duchennes 20s and sometimes longer.
article_snippet.sent: Mr and Mrs Wilkinson found out Mr and Mrs Wilkinson son Joel had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just before their son Joel third birthday last year.
article_snippet.sent: Mrs Wilkinson said: 'Results from the blood test in July said Mrs Wilkinson had muscle dystrophy, but muscle dystrophy wasn't until the end of September, after more tests, that we found out it was Duchenne.'
article_snippet.sent: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy occurs mainly in boys and although Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can be inherited Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy often occurs with no known family history of the condition.
article_snippet.sent: Families in a similar position can find support by contacting Muscular Dystrophy UK.
article_snippet.sent: Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of the charity, said: 'Hearing that your child has a rare muscle-wasting condition can be a huge shock for parents. '
article_snippet.sent: For many parents, family members and charities like Muscular Dystrophy UK, can play a major role in providing that much needed emotional support and practical help, throughout this journey. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a disease that will cause his muscles to slowly waste away, leaving his unable to walk .
  