BLAMELESS CHILD

The band Blameless Child formed in 2002 when siblings - Liz, Beth, and Sam were 11, 12, and 13 years old.   The trio were prompted by frustration and an urgent desire to call public attention to an incurable genetic disease called Machado Joseph Disease (www.ijdf.net).   Liz, Beth, & Sam wrote their very first song "Blameless Child" in memory of their favorite Aunt Darla who had Machado Joseph Disease.  Darla had an incredible faith in God, however, the teens watched their aunt for many years suffer and waste away from this disease,  Darla died in the year 2000.  

Growing up in the church (their father was a Pastor), knowing the power of God, and wanting to help others who have Machado Joseph Disease - Liz, Beth, and Sam made their first CD "Blameless Child"  and hooked up with the International Joseph Diseases Foundation (IJDF) who gave a way the CD as a gift to all who would listen… the CD traveled the world… throughout the USA, and in Canada, Europe, Israel, and Asia.  Today, Blameless Child continues to support, call attention to, and encourages those who have MJD and their families... Liz says, "we know one day there will be a cure for MJD, and we hope and pray that it will come very soon!"

What is MJD? also go to the International Joseph Diseases Foundation  http://ijdf.net

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)-also called spinocerebellar ataxia type 3-is a rare hereditary ataxia. (Ataxia is a general term meaning lack of muscle control.) The disease is characterized by clumsiness and weakness in the arms and legs, spasticity, a staggering lurching gait easily mistaken for drunkenness, difficulty with speech and swallowing, involuntary eye movements, double vision, and frequent urination. Some patients have dystonia (sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting of the body and limbs, repetitive movements, abnormal postures, and/or rigidity) or symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Others have twitching of the face or tongue, or peculiar bulging eyes.

The severity of the disease is related to the age of onset, with earlier onset associated with a more severe form of the disease. Symptoms can begin any time between early adolescence and about 70 years of age. MJD is also a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms get worse with time. Life expectancy ranges from the mid-thirties for those with severe forms of MJD to a normal life expectancy for those with mild forms. For those who die early from the disease, the cause of death is often aspiration pneumonia.

Symptoms of MJD