Through its Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC), the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University is leading research that bridges scientific discovery with the lived experiences of individuals affected by muscle-related conditions and diseases. This approach ensures that research and knowledge mobilization reflect the ways muscle health challenges and influences mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.
“Recognizing lived experience as a critical source of knowledge helps to inform future research, education and public understanding related to the real-world impacts facing those living with muscle health disease,” says Dr. Christopher Perry, Faculty of Health professor and director of the MHRC.
Patient partner Louise Gibson, an advocate for mitochondrial disease (mito), and mitoAmbassador with MitoCanada, shares this perspective and will present her insights and experiences to York researchers at the upcoming Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD), now in its 17th year.
As a patient advocate, she brings lived experience into research and education settings, helping inform health care teams, support patient education and advocate for greater awareness of rare diseases.
She also emphasizes the role of accessible exercise in maintaining function and quality of life for people living with mitochondrial disease.
“It is difficult to fully understand the conditions we study without hearing from people who live with them every day, which is why the Muscle Health Research Centre is focused on creating space for those voices and finding better ways to ensure they are heard,” says Perry.
For further details, see the YFile story here and 15 Stories for 15 Years: Meet Louise Gibson.