BENDER FAMILY LIMB GIRDLE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Question

Our line of Benders here in Michigan are being studied by Dr Butzer in Grand Rapids, Michigan due to genes that produce a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Limb Girdle. Many of the men in our family are born with this disease that does not progress till around the age of 40. It is believed that this has something to do with the families tie to the Amish or Mennonite ancestry. Just wondering if there are more Bender's out there across the country who are struggling with neuro-muscular issues or who have been diagnosed with LGMD.  It seem to effect only the men in our family.

Answer 1

Just found this post and hope to get more info. A male cousin died a few years ago with what I was told was a form of ALS. My mother was a Bender from Northern Ohio and we have Mennonite ancesters. I would love to get more information to pass on to his sister. Thanks Kathleen L Browning Welch

Answer 2

Our Duncan descendants are from Virginia, to Iowa and down to Missouri.  We have Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  Now in the 4th generation, that we are aware of.   It, too, seems to be worse in the males; however, a baby girl was born with it and lived only a few days.

Answer 3

Can whoever flagged this post please remove the flag? Flagging is for alerting a Wikitree manager to abuse, which this clearly is not.