Veteran Battles Rare Disease

By: Alice Massimi | WSAV-TV
Published: May 10, 2009

For one area soldier the battle has not ended.
Medically discharged from the Army, this soldier is now dealing with a rare disease that some studies show could be linked to his time overseas.
Called Myasthenia Gravis it's a chronic auto immune neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness of certain muscle groups.
News Three's Alice Massimi sat down with the veteran to talk about his diagnosis.

Bryce Basham now walks with a cane...and that's on a good day.
“I still ran 10:53 that was my run time for a two mile. That’s pretty awesome,” exclaims Basham as he explains is health before his diagnosis.
Basham says he was in the best shape of his life during the 6 years he served in the Army.
Assigned to 1-60th, a Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield he went overseas numerous times.
It was during his last trip he became ill.
“I was physically winded and broke,” explains Basham of the quick onset of his conditions.
Sent back stateside Basham was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare neurological disease whose cause is not known.
“Some of the speculation is the Gulf War Syndrome, some is pesticides, some of it is neonatal, meaning you have has it since you were born.”
Basham and some of his doctors believe it can partially be traced to his time in the service.
“Who knows what is in the country's you are in. They are third world countries. The way they had to dispose of their waste,” recalls Basham.
Receiving treatments once a month Basham says he treasures the good days. The days he has the energy to spend time he has with his son and wife.
All the time hoping one day a cure will be found.

To help raise awareness he and his family are raising money for Myasthenia Gravis. Part of their fundraiser is a trip cross country.
To find out how you can help and for more information on the disease log onto:

http://www.myasthenia.org/

http://mgawareness.com/