...the international community needs to recognize that Chinese researchers are making important contributions to the science of this field [regenerative medicine], and China should be included in international discourses on standards and regulations.
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Dominique S. McMahon, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health (MRC)
Rahman's parent's noticed that he was having trouble keeping up with other children and was starting to miss developmental milestones when he was about 4 years old. After a muscle biopsy they determined that he had a neuromuscular disorder that is consistent with muscular dystrophy, although his doctors were never able to determine the exact cause of the condition.
The progression of the illness was slow and Rahman was able to have a normal childhood, though his muscle mass continued to slowly atrophy. It has only been in the past 4 to 5 years that the progression of the disease has accelerated and Rahman has seen an impact in his quality of life.
Because of this he began to look into new treatment options including stem cells. As a PhD law student, he took his research seriously and explored all the different alternatives. He explains, "I looked at Germany, Mexico, India and China. Weighing the cost and benefits, such as cost and safety. A whole litany of things. In China they use traditional medicine as well as stem cells. It was a long term program which i thought would be beneficial. China was the best option, there was no question... The doctors were very forth coming in their analysis. There was no 'when you come in you will be as good as new.' There was none of that. It was very realistic, and that reassured me. Had they said you will be perfectly healthy, I would have been skeptical. But they didn't, everything was realistic."
Treatment in China
Rahman received adult stem cell transplants through intramuscular injection, IV and lumbar puncture. He also received acupuncture, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Condition after treatment
While in the hospital Rahman started to see changes in his condition, which he described as "hard to gauge. I know that my walking feels better. Sitting to standing up feels much easier than it used to. It's one of those things that is really really hard to know. Have I had any miracles, like I can run a mile? No. But I can feel the small things. Like I can lift my arm higher than I could before.
"When I got here, I really had no bicep strength for 25 years. There is something in there now. I know it is there. It's very very slight, but I know because I haven't used these muscles in two decades. It's kind of unrealistic to think that I am going to be superman. So I am very realistic about the outcome. Have there been small things yes, definitely."
