~Mitochondrial Disease~ What is it?~

What is Mitochondrial Disease?

Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common.

Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems.

Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection

I had the opportunity to join my family in the "Energy 4 Life" walk.  It supports and raises money for children with Mitochondrial disease.  There was a great turn out this year.  It was at Liberty Park.  Sami and I were there.  Chad and the boys had a stake father/son campout.  So, they missed it.  One of my bests friends, Sarah, came and brought her four kids.  My folks came down the night before and stayed at my house.  My mom just had her knee operated on, so she was in a wheel chair.    They had a poster for Torri.  It was so sweet!

 

I also have a couple of cousins whose children have the same disease and have even died of this disease.  It is really hard, sad and something they deal with on a daily basis. This disease has taken a toll on the "Crane" side of my family.  There was so much great family support there.  It is amazing to see cousins and aunts and uncles you haven't seen for a while.  You hug and cry and sometimes laugh.  I come from a big, supportive, awesome family.   So here are a couple of shots from the walk this year.  It was an honor to wear the color Red in honor of Team Tobes. 

 

Tanner and Sami at the fishing pond!

Brad and Cathy in front on Torri's poster.  They are truly amazing.  The fact that they are still "living" after all the heartache they have been through!

My mom, Sami, Lincoln, Charlotte and Afton at the walk!

Here is a group shot of "Team Tobes."  Brad and Cathy had great friend and family support.  We all wore red, but there were other family members there honoring their loved ones in blue, yellow and pink!