WHEREAS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly inherited neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States and 2.6 million people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, CMT affects both motor and sensory nerves with symptoms that may include muscle weakness in the foot and lower leg, foot deformities, frequent tripping or falls, and muscle weakness in the hands; and

WHEREAS, CMT is one of 40 diseases covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but unlike muscular dystrophy, in which the defect is in the muscles, CMT is a disorder in which the defect is in the nerves that control the muscles; and

WHEREAS, The onset of CMT symptoms typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but some individuals develop symptoms in mid-adulthood, with the severity of symptoms varying among individuals and pain ranging from mild to severe; and

WHEREAS, Although physical therapy, occupational therapy, and moderate physical activity are beneficial in treating CMT, and sometimes CMT is surgically treated, currently there is no cure for CMT; and

WHEREAS, The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is dedicated to supporting the development of new drugs to treat CMT in order to improve the quality of life of people with CMT, and ultimately, to find a cure for this disease; and

WHEREAS, Dedicating a month to increase awareness of CMT, its symptoms and the obstacles faced by individuals and families affected by the disorder would be highly beneficial; now, therefore, be it