Highlights from the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation article “My Mito Story: Living with CoQ10 Deficiency”:
Meet Julia, a 10-year-old from New York, who, like many of her peers, loves joking, dancing, binge-watching Disney+, and all things animals. “She’s a sweet, humble little girl,” said her mom, Jessica.
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“When I got the test results, I thought I was going to lose my daughter,” Jessica recalled.
Three years ago, genetic testing revealed Julia was affected by Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency, a rare mitochondrial disease where a patient lacks sufficient CoQ10, a substance that helps the body produce cellular energy. The disease is estimated to impact fewer than 1 in 100,000 people and can cause developmental issues, muscle weakness, seizures, and damage to vital organs.
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“Yes, I hope for a cure one day. Right now, we just have to hope she doesn’t regress. Doctors just don’t know,” (Jessica) said. “I would love it if one day she can run, like other kids. And I hope she doesn’t get sick. Or fall. But above all, I want to document her story, so maybe someday other families can understand what they’re going through.”
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👉 You can read the full United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation article about Julia and CoQ10 deficiency here.
