California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 171

Introduced by Assembly Member Wilk

August 7, 2014

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 171—Relative to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 171, as introduced, Wilk. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month.

This measure would declare September 2014 as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the
most commonly inherited neurological disorders, affecting
approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States and 2.6
million people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, CMT affects both motor and sensory nerves with
symptoms that may include muscle weakness in the foot and lower
leg, foot deformities, frequent tripping or falls, and muscle
weakness in the hands; and

WHEREAS, CMT is one of 40 diseases covered by the Muscular
Dystrophy Association, but unlike muscular dystrophy, in which
the defect is in the muscles, CMT is a disorder in which the defect
is in the nerves that control the muscles; and

WHEREAS, The onset of CMT symptoms typically begins in
adolescence or early adulthood, but some individuals develop
symptoms in mid-adulthood, with the severity of symptoms varying
among individuals and pain ranging from mild to severe; and

WHEREAS, Although physical therapy, occupational therapy,
and moderate physical activity are beneficial in treating CMT, and
sometimes CMT is surgically treated, currently there is no cure
for CMT; and

WHEREAS, The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is dedicated
to supporting the development of new drugs to treat CMT in order
to improve the quality of life of people with CMT, and ultimately,
to find a cure for this disease; and

WHEREAS, Dedicating a month to increase awareness of CMT,
its symptoms and the obstacles faced by individuals and families
affected by the disorder would be highly beneficial; now, therefore,
be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That September 2014 be declared
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.