Clayton News Daily

Special Photo Rod Fulmer (center) of McDonough suffers from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. He will be among the attendees at a benefit dinner Saturday along with his wife Brenda (from left) and daughter Savannah.

McDONOUGH — The fight against a deadly disease will continue this weekend in Henry County.

The FSH Society Inc. will hold a benefit dinner Saturday at Sharon Baptist Church, 536 North Ola Road in McDonough. Donations of $25 per person go toward battling facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Rod Fulmer of McDonough has the condition and said it is more widespread than people may realize.

“It’s one of the most prevalent forms of muscular dystrophy,” said Fulmer, 56. “We’re actually going to have people there from Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee who have it.”

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition which results in foot drop. Fulmer’s father and grandfather each had foot drop. His grandfather died from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in 1945.

A genetic link to the disease was not discovered until 2004, he said. Fulmer said he is doing his best to remain healthy and independent, despite struggling with a condition which has affected his mobility in recent years.

“I’m fighting to stay out of a wheelchair,” he said.

The FSH Society, Fulmer said, is a grassroots organization of patients with the disease.

“They just didn’t feel like enough was being done for us,” he said, adding that Saturday’s event will help provide research, support and advocacy for those with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

The benefit will include an old-fashioned hoedown, a barbecue, live entertainment, professional photographs and door prizes. Last year’s dinner raised about $5,000 for the FSH Society.

Fulmer said organizers are hoping to generate $7,000 Saturday.

“This is just a really good family event,” he said. “We have a lot of local talent who will be performing. It’s almost a like a dinner and musical show.”

For more information, call Fulmer at 770-598-4105.