Some of the things that you have described in your letter, seem to be from some other illness. I have never heard of someone who was not born with PMC. The doctors told me that this is an inhereited disease That it would get better with age, which it has. Since i can remember, i was always falling down, dropping things and unable to open my hand at times, muscles cramping up after swimming. I have difficulty in swallowing too, but not to the extent of choking. I have learned to deal with this all my life, hiding it from everyone. but as far as what i know, the disease will not cause muscles wasting or further disability from what you always had growing up. If your father was able to do all those things at a young age, and only now shows signs of slurring and choking, there is somethings else wrong. Rhonda