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Until recently all Victoria (Vikky) Cruz knew was that her mother was sick. Her mother hasn't been able to walk in years, can barely speak and goes into rages, but no one ever told Vikky why. Now, at 17-years-old, Vikky struggles to cope with her mother's illness, a rare genetic disease called neuroacanthytosis, and the ways it's taken over the mother she once knew.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
Until recently all Victoria (Vikky) Cruz knew was that her mother was sick. Her mother hasn't been able to walk in years, can barely speak and goes into rages, but no one ever told Vikky why. Now, at 17-years-old, Vikky struggles to cope with her mother's illness, a rare genetic disease called neuroacanthytosis, and the ways it's taken over the mother she once knew.
Broadcast History
WNYC Morning Edition - October 9, 2009
Transcript
HOST INTRO: It's never easy to watch a family member become ill, especially with a disease that affects the mind. Rookie Reporter Victoria Cruz grew up watching her mother change into a different person because of a rare neurological disorder that's difficult to diagnose. But despite the increasing severity of her mother's symptoms, Vikky couldn't understand what was wrong with her. 17-year-old Vikky reports on how her family copes.
NARRATION: My mother is sick.
VIKKY: Let's go to Wikipedia. Yeah.
NARRATION: She has a disorder I can't even say.
VIKKY: Okay.
NARRATION: Neuroacanthocytosis.
VIKKY: Neuroacanthocythosis. All right, yeah I said it.
NARRATION: Her hands stuck in a fist.
VIKKY: It's a rare movement disorder marked by progressive muscular weakness and involuntary twisting movements of the body.
NARRATION: She can't balance when she walks.
VIKKY: Seizures and changes in...
Read the full transcript
Additional Credits
Kaari Pitkin, Senior Producer
Courtney Stein, Assistant Producer
Marianne McCune, Editor
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