Latest news with #MuscularDystrophyAssociation
New Paper
7 days ago
- Health
- New Paper
He quit his career to care for his son who has muscular dystrophy
Childhood falls were an ordeal for Mr William Eng. Unlike other children, he could not brush off a routine tumble. While he remembers running in primary school, he tiptoed as he walked. Unbeknown to him, his unusual gait was a symptom of muscular dystrophy, a condition in which muscles weaken over time. Mr Eng, now 37, recalls: "I fell easily and frequently. I wasn't afraid of falling down, but getting back up was tiring. Initially, I could get up on my own. But by secondary school, my friends had to pull me up from behind." He found out, through medical checks ahead of registering for national service, about his muscular dystrophy at the age of 15. Before that, he and his family had cycled through unsuccessful attempts at managing his symptoms, including acupuncture; making him consume brews with ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine like seahorse and frog legs; and sporadic visits to the hospital. Mr Eng says they did not know they had to seek treatment in any regular way. "We didn't know where to go." The eldest of four children, he lives with his 59-year-old father Steven Eng, who is his full-time caregiver; his stepmother, a 56-year-old cashier; and an uncle, 58, who works part-time as a cleaner. His younger brother and sisters, aged between 25 and 36, do not live with them. From Mr William Eng's teenage years, his dad has been a bulwark of support as their family grappled with his condition. He was about to repeat Secondary 3 because he did not take his examinations for that grade the year before. But he could not walk by then, and dropped out of school. Thus began a period of social isolation that lasted around 14 years. Although he soon acquired a manual wheelchair through a family friend, lifts would not be installed at his family's HDB block in Tampines for several years. On outings, his father would carry him down the four flights of steps from their three-room flat on the third floor; seat him at the coffee shop downstairs; and walk to the main road to hail a taxi for them, retracing that route upon their return. During this time, Mr William Eng says he had "no peers", save for one secondary school friend who visited him faithfully. His late paternal grandmother, who used to live in their household, was his main carer for many years. When his siblings grew older, they would leave him food and water on the table before they left for the day, bringing him a dabao (takeaway) meal when they got home. Mr Steven Eng was working as a contractor, specialising in signage painting and facilities maintenance. For close to 20 years, he woke at 5.30am for work, returning in the evening and spending limited time with his disabled son. For a year in the 1990s, he worked in construction by day and held a night job making soya bean milk at a factory. Money was tight and he slept about three hours a day. When Mr William Eng was 29, he came into contact with Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) and spent most days of the week at its Bishan location. Equipped by then with a motorised wheelchair which afforded him more mobility and independence, he filled his days with activities such as therapy, art and craft, and sports like powerchair football, in which players use specialised electric wheelchairs to play a modified form of the sport. Mr Steven Eng pushing Mr William Eng in his wheelchair out of their HDB flat in Tampines. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO He also spent several years designing greeting cards and labels for work projects gained through the association. But a health crisis struck on Christmas Eve 2019, further weakening him and prompting his father to give up his career to care for him. Mr William Eng was rushed to hospital with high fever, a hacking cough, pneumonia and a congested lung. During his 2½-month stay at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which included about a month in intensive care, he underwent intubation, whereby a breathing tube is inserted; and subsequently a tracheotomy, which creates an opening through the neck directly into the trachea or windpipe, to provide an airway and remove secretions from the lungs. Mr Steven Eng sprang into action, taking leave from work to alternate 12-hour shifts at his son's hospital bedside with other family members. When Mr William Eng could not speak for a few weeks, his father, who cannot write in Chinese or English, used a board with letters and numbers to decipher what he needed. The younger Eng would nod or train his eye at one letter after another, forming words like "pain" for his father to write on paper, indicating to hospital staff what help was needed. Mr Steven Eng helping to put on the oxygen mask strap of a ventilator to help Mr William Eng with his breathing. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The decision to care for his son full time was easy for the senior Eng. "I told the hospital, please let me take care of my son. I can provide one-on-one, 24-hour care. Rather than having a helper or one of his siblings help out, I might as well do it. I am old (and can give up my work)," he says in Mandarin. He quit work on New Year's Day in 2020. For the past five years, Mr Eng has been helping his son with daily activities such as going to the bathroom, showering and clothing him, and giving him medicine. He also puts on a ventilator for the younger man, who uses this machine that helps him breathe when he sleeps at night, and for a few hours in the afternoon. He helps his son use a cough assist machine, which clears his airways and supports his breathing by removing phlegm from his lungs. Mr Eng works out for an hour daily, stretching and using dumbbells, to keep up his strength so he continues to be able to carry his son when necessary. The pair, who enjoy watching movies together, attest to their close relationship. Mr Steven Eng says: "We are friends, we speak directly to each other." He adds: "It's not tiring caring for my own child." Mr William Eng demurs. "My father toils the most. He has sacrificed a lot. Especially in Asian society, people might ask, why aren't you working? It's rare to find a daddy caregiver." "I call him Penguin Daddy," he says, referring to how the male emperor penguin incubates the egg while the female goes away to hunt at sea.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Grey's Anatomy' Star Eric Dane Tears Up in First Interview Since Announcing ALS Diagnosis
Eric Dane—who plays Cal Jacobs on Euphoria—announced in April that he has been diagnosed with ALS. On June 12, a teaser clip from a forthcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer dropped, where Dane emotionally speaks about his diagnosis in his first sit-down interview since revealing the news. 'I don't think this is the end of my story,' the Grey's Anatomy star said in the Dane, star of Euphoria and Grey's Anatomy, is speaking out in his first interview since receiving a 'crushing' ALS diagnosis earlier this year. Dane fought back tears while speaking to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America about his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in April. (The disease is also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.) 'I wake up every day and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening,' he said in a teaser clip shared for the interview on June 12 (via Page Six). To this, Sawyer said, 'It's not a dream,' which Dane repeated back to her. 'I don't think this is the end of my story,' he continued. 'I don't feel like this is the end of me.' Dane revealed his diagnosis back in April, just weeks after he and wife Rebecca Gayheart called off their divorce. Dane's full Good Morning America interview is slated to air on June 16. The couple share two children, and Gayheart filed for divorce back in February 2018; she filed documents to have the petition dismissed in March 2025. In a statement to People in April, Dane said of his ALS diagnosis, 'I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.' He also requested privacy as they figured out how to move through this next stage of their lives. He also shared that he will reprise his role of Cal Jacobs for season 3 of Euphoria, which began filming not long after Dane announced his diagnosis. ALS is a rare degenerative disease that has no cure; according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, people typically live three to five years after diagnosis, although some patients can live decades. Read the original article on InStyle
Buzz Feed
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Eric Dane Broke Down Over ALS Diagnosis
In April, Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane announced that he's been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, saying in a statement to People: 'I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.' For context, Eric is 52 and shares two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine, with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. Rebecca filed for divorce from Eric in 2018, although in March — a month before his ALS diagnosis was made public — she requested to dismiss her petition. ALS, which is sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neurone disease, is a rare neurodegenerative illness that impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive paralysis of the muscles. The disease — for which there is currently no cure — causes people to gradually lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe independently, although it notably does not impact a person's thinking ability. The life expectancy after a person is diagnosed with ALS can vary between cases; however, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, most people with the disease are expected to live for three to five years after diagnosis. That said, everyone's experience with ALS is unique, and some people go on to live for decades. When announcing his diagnosis, Eric expressed gratitude that he's currently in a position to continue working, saying that he's 'looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria,' which is currently shooting its long-awaited third season. Eric stars in the Emmy-winning HBO series as Cal Jacobs, the father of Nate Jacobs, who is played by Jacob Elordi. Now, in a teaser for an upcoming interview with Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America, the actor has given an emotional update on his situation, saying: 'I wake up every day and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening. It's not a dream.' At one point in the 30-second teaser, Eric and Diane hold hands as he looks visibly emotional. 'I don't think this is the end of my story. I don't feel like this is the end of me,' he says. Towards the end of the clip, while presumably discussing the immediate aftermath of his diagnosis, Diane asks who the first person was that he called, prompting Eric to break down in tears. The GMA segment — which airs on Monday — marks Eric's first TV interview since his diagnosis. It comes after he spoke with Variety about the future of his career, saying he feels 'pretty capable' as far as acting is concerned. 'With real respect, I really don't want to talk about it. I made the announcement. That's what's going on with me; it's very personal to me,' he said when asked about his diagnosis. 'I am ready and willing to do just about anything, but I have limitations that I understand will preclude me from playing certain roles. I'm working on Euphoria. I finished Countdown. As far as that goes, I'm pretty capable.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Firefighters hope to ‘Fill the Boot' in support of Muscular Dystrophy Association
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Drivers along a busy road near Washington County will notice firefighters with boots in hand. The off-duty crews with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue are taking part in the annual 'Fill the Boot' fundraiser, asking motorists to donate money to help support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Firefighters will be along Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Canyon Road, and the on-ramps and off-ramps to Highway 217 in Beaverton between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Colman Domingo has wished Eric Dane well amid his ‘Euphoria' co-star's health battle
Colman Domingo has wished Eric Dane well amid his fellow 'Euphoria' actor's health battle. The star's co-star on the show was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and the 55-year-old actor has now opened up about his shock at hearing Eric's sad news. He told People about how he learned of his friend's diagnosis the same day it was shared with the public: "I haven't been able to speak with him yet.' Colman added about how he is backing Eric: 'I just got the news yesterday too, and I'm wishing him well. I look forward to working with him.' Colman plays Ali in 'Euphoria' – a mentor to and sponsor for Zendaya's drug-addled character Rue, while Eric plays troubled Cal Jacobs, the patriarch of the Jacobs family. 'Euphoria' was renewed for a third season in February 2022, and production began just two months ago. Eric, 52, revealed his ALS diagnosis in an exclusive interview with People on Thursday (10.04.25.) He said: 'I have been diagnosed with ALS. 'I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. 'I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of 'Euphoria' next week.' The rare and progressive disease causes paralysis of the muscles, affecting speech, walking, and other motor functions. Eric has two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is an illness that typically leads to progressive loss of muscle control, including the ability to speak, eat and breathe. The Muscular Dystrophy Association estimates those diagnosed with the condition usually live three to five years after their diagnosis, though some patients survive for decades. Other celebrities diagnosed with ALS include Aaron Lazar, John Driskell Hopkins and Stephen Hawking. Eric is set to return to Euphoria for its third season, with filming scheduled to resume on Monday (14.04.25.) He also recently completed work on the Amazon crime drama series 'Countdown'. Fans can expect more drama for his character, Cal Jacobs, in the new 'Euphoria' series as Eric has hinted at a potential redemption arc following his character's arrest at the end of season two. He told Variety about the upcoming series: 'There's gonna be redemption... I can't imagine Cal's life from solitary confinement. It's tough to work Cal into the storyline when he's behind bars.'
