Douglas and Marlene Laing's Story

by Douglas & Marlene Laing, Mich.

When Doug Laing couldn't lift his arm to lead the church chorus he directed, he knew something was wrong.

“I had weakness in my right arm and was unable to lift it high enough to direct the choir,” he said, recalling that day 20 years ago.

A physician diagnosed Doug with a rare, untreatable form of muscular dystrophy called Limb-Girdle, which affects voluntary muscles. Over a period of years those affected lose muscle bulk and strength. Many people eventually require a wheelchair.

Marlene and Doug believe embryonic stem cell research may hold a key to reversing his disability.

“We pray for more embryonic stem cell research to be done,” said Marlene. “Doug is now 65, but we pray he has many good years left. He will retire in December and we hope to be able to travel as much as possible before he ends up in a wheel chair.”

Doug's wife of 27 years, Marlene, says Doug's disease has been devastating to them as she has watched his muscles weaken for the past 20 years.

“It pains me to see him deteriorate,” she said from their home in Jackson . “He's a wonderful and talented person. He directs a men's chorus. The members tell him they will stay with him if he has to lie on the floor to direct.”

Doug, a University of Michigan computer program analyst, said he is thankful he is still mobile and that his disease has progressed more slowly than most. Although Doug can still drive and type, he struggles to stand at times.

“It is now affecting both of my arms and my legs are getting weaker,” he said. “Unless something happens, I expect nothing but deterioration.”

Doug has difficulty understanding how anyone can be against stem cell research.

“With muscular dystrophy there is no cure and no immediate hope for a cure unless embryonic stem cell research holds some sort of promise for myself and others with muscular dystrophy,” he said.

“The arguments against it don't seem reasonable to me,” he said. “A lot of people holding the anti-research position don't have immediate family in a situation like this. It isn't happening to someone they know.”