HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015491.jpg
1.48 MB
Extraction Summary
6
People
1
Organizations
2
Locations
3
Events
2
Relationships
2
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Magazine article / periodical page
File Size:
1.48 MB
Summary
This document appears to be a page from a magazine article titled 'Their Giant Steps to a Cure' by Jude Isabella. It details the story of the Topic family, specifically sisters Ivana and Antonia, who suffer from a rare form of muscular dystrophy called calpainopathy. The text describes Ivana's high school graduation in 2007, their diagnosis in 2010, and Ivana's determination to remain mobile. The document bears a 'HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015491' stamp, suggesting it is part of a larger investigation file, possibly related to Epstein due to his known involvement in funding scientific research or foundations, though his name does not appear on this specific page.
People (6)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jude Isabella | Author |
Author of the article 'Their Giant Steps to a Cure'
|
| Ivana Topic | Subject |
A 24-year-old woman diagnosed with calpainopathy (muscular dystrophy); graduated college with degree in finance.
|
| Marijana Topic | Parent |
Ivana's mother.
|
| Antonia Topic | Subject |
Ivana's younger sister, also diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
|
| Ellen Weinstein | Illustrator |
Credited for illustrations in the footer.
|
| Jerry Lewis | Public Figure |
Mentioned in relation to telethons funding muscular dystrophy research.
|
Organizations (1)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jerry Lewis Telethons |
Mentioned as a funding source for muscular dystrophy research.
|
Timeline (3 events)
2010
The Topic sisters learn they have a rare form of muscular dystrophy called calpainopathy
Unknown
Locations (2)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Location of Ivana Topic's high school graduation.
|
|
|
Country of origin for the Topic family.
|
Relationships (2)
From the audience, Ivana’s mother, Marijana, watched her daughter’s every step...
Antonia, Ivana’s younger sister by five years...
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (2,229 characters)
BIOLOGY | MEDICINE
Their Giant Steps to a Cure
Battling a rare form of muscular dystrophy,
a family finds an activist leader, and hope
a family finds an activist leader, and hope
BY JUDE ISABELLA
IN 2007, AT HER high school graduation in Quesnel, British Columbia, Ivana Topic stood at the top of the auditorium stairs, her long gown skimming the floor, her dark brown hair spilling over her shoulders. She had on ridiculously high heels. As she eased down the stairs, very slowly, she hung on to her date. She was afraid her knees would collapse, as her muscles were weak for her age.
From the audience, Ivana’s mother, Marijana, watched her daughter’s every step, silently panicking and breaking into a sweat. She knew Ivana could easily tumble down the stairs and break a limb. The year before, Ivana had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, an incurable genetic disease characterized by progressive weakening of the muscles. Antonia, Ivana’s younger sister by five years, was later diagnosed with the same disease.
Around the time of Ivana’s graduation, the Topics, an unassuming family originally from Croatia, had begun adjusting their lives as best they could, inquiring about ramps everywhere they went, avoiding walking in snow and sleet. For years, Ivana and Antonia had been subjected to endless medical tests. In 2010, they learned they had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, calpainopathy, which affects about 1 in 200,000 people. The diagnosis meant both would likely be bound to wheelchairs while they were still young women.
Today, Ivana is 24. In May, she graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in finance and general business. She still walks up stairs in her house; her bedroom is upstairs. “I’m definitely a fighter, and will try and walk for as long as I can,” she says. “When I notice I’m falling a lot, when I need help a lot, I will go in a chair.”
Muscular dystrophy treatment is limited to only palliative medications and therapies. Ivana herself practices yoga. While researchers worldwide are working on lasting cures for muscular dystrophy (funded in part by the famous Jerry Lewis Telethons), rare forms like calpainopathy are “orphans,” with only a fraction of
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ELLEN WEINSTEIN
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HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015491
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