BIOLOGY | MEDICINE Their Giant Steps to a C Battling arareformofmuscular dystrophy, afamily finds anactivistleader, and hope BY JUDE ISABELLA N 2007, AT HER high school graduation in Ques- about ramps everywhere they went, avoiding walking nel, British Columbia, Ivana Topic stood atthe top in snow and sleet. For years, Ivana and Antonia had of the auditorium stairs, her long gown skimming — been subjected to endless medical tests. In 2010, they —— the floor, her dark brown hair spilling over her learned they had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, shoulders. She had on ridiculously high heels. As she calpainopathy, which affects about 1 in 200,000 peo- eased down the stairs, very slowly, she hung on to her _ ple. The diagnosis meant both would likely be bound to date. She was afraid her knees would collapse, as her wheelchairs while they were still young women. muscles were weak for her age. Today, Ivana is 24. In May, she graduated from col- From the audience, Ivana’s mother, Marijana, lege with a bachelor’s degree in finance and general watched her daughter’s every step, silently panicking business. She still walks up stairs in her house; her and breaking into a sweat. She knew Ivana could eas- bedroom is upstairs. “I’m definitely a fighter, and will ily tumble down the stairs and break a limb. The year try and walk for as long as I can,” she says. “When I before, Ivana had been diagnosed with muscular dys- notice I’m falling a lot, when I need help a lot, I will trophy, an incurable genetic disease characterized by go ima chair.” progressive weakening of the muscles. Antonia, Ivana’s Muscular dystrophy treatment 1s limited to only pal- younger sister by five years, was later diagnosed with liative medications and therapies. Ivana herself prac- the same disease. tices yoga. While researchers worldwide are working Around the time of Ivana’s graduation, the Top- on lasting cures for muscular dystrophy (funded in part ics, an unassuming family originally from Croatia