1. Wilson’s Disease

2. Table of Contents Table of Contents What is it? Diagnosis Medication Diet History Uncle Dan References

3. Rare inherited disorder Excessive amounts of copper accumulate in body Copper buildup leads to damage in: Kidneys Brain Eyes Liver Copper accumulation begins at birth but symptoms typically appear later in life. Most common symptom is Kayser-Fleisher ringKayser-Fleisher ring Typical effect is liver disease which appears in late childhood or early adolescence as: Acute hepatitis Liver failure Progressive chronic liver disease (appearing as chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.) 1 st sign in some occurs later in adulthood and commonly include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and drooling Other symptoms include: Tremor of the head, arms, or legs Impaired muscle tone, and sustained muscle contractions which form: Abnormal postures Twisting Repetitive movements or slowness of movements Clumsiness Loss of fine motor skills 1/3 of the population with Wilson’s will show signs of psychiatric symptoms

4. Diagnosis Tests that measure the amount of copper in the blood, urine, and liver. Kayser-Fleisher ring Muscle, nerve, and liver biopsy’s

5. Medication  Cuprimine (Penicillamine)  B6 25mg  Zinc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgDvQUwUOo0#watch-main-area Watch the video clip from below to see how Wilson’s Disease can affect your body if left untreated or when the prescribed medication is not being taken like it was intended, for example, not taking it at all because an individual thought that they were cured. Wilson’s is a chronic disease, which means NO CURE!!!

6. Diet Everyone with Wilson’s has to stick to a little to no copper diet. Some things my Uncle Dan can’t eat are:  Mushrooms  Chocolate  Raisins (yes, he can have grapes…we don’t understand that either!)  Bananas  Black Olives  Pork Chops  …and many more!

7. History Wilson’s Disease goes back in time to when the Native Americans used copper kettles all the time to cook with. When using them how they did at every meal it gave off copper, thus creating an abundance in their system causing Wilson’s. (This is the tale told when given an explanation from Western USA) Genetics???

8. Uncle Dan This is an article that I had published in the Clarion News Editorial section in Winter of 2008. I am a freshman disability services major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I am writing in regards to how some citizens look at people with disabilities and think they are abnormal. After learning about different disabilities and how mild or severe they could be, exceptional individuals are really viewed differently in society. I grew up with a relative who is considered to have a disability and never thought of him as different. He is my uncle, and that is how I have always thought of him and will continue to think of him. On the outside one may think he looks different just because his disease affects his walking. If you would ever carry on a conversation with him, you might just go along with what he is saying, because you don’t want to ask him again, but I encourage you to say “would you please repeat that?” because my uncle knows his disease has also affected his speech, and if you’re not around him a lot, he may be hard for you to understand. However, don’t judge him by the outside, because on the inside he is one of the most thoughtful, creative, and artistic people I know-my loving uncle! Thinking back a year ago to when I was in high school, I remember students making negative comments toward other students with disabilities. I would often think to myself that, if only the students making the comment would put themselves in the shoes of the exceptional student, maybe then they would realize how much that comment could have hurt the exceptional student. If you are a student reading this and have made a comment like this, I challenge you to put yourself in the shoes of the student you were negative towards. If you are the parent of an exceptional individual and they are having comments made to them, which they don’t like, please take action because you are your child’s advocate! Many times when a child or adult who is an exceptional person is attending a community event, you see heads turn and stare at that particular individual. To the citizens in the community who can relate to this situation, once again place yourself in the shoes of the exceptional individual. Always remember don’t look at the disability but the ability! My Uncle was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease when he was in 4 th grade causing him to go to the Cleveland Clinic and having to repeat 4 th grade because he was absent for such an extended period of time. Artist

9. Kayser-Fleisher Ring -rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye. Kayser-Fleisher Ring It is best seen by using an ophthalmologist’s slit lamp. Back

10. References http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Wilsons_Disease/hic_Wilsons_Disease.aspx?ut m_campaign=emailfriend&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccf http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/liver/diagnoses/wilsons.htm http://www.mayoclinic.org/wilsons-disease/?mc-emref=y

11. Genetics of Wilson’s Disease Genetics of Wilson’s Disease

12. Look at my Uncle’s ABILITY not his DISABILITY!!!