A MAN has spoken of his battle with a rare muscle-wasting condition as a new film hits cinemas highlighting the disease.

Peter Constable, of Blackcroft, Wantage, was diagnosed with Pompe disease a decade ago.

The 51-year-old has difficulty even standing up. because of the rare metabolic muscle disorder.

It affects about one in 40,000 people, causing muscles – mainly those used for breathing and mobility – to weaken because of a shortage of an important enzyme called GAA.

Last week, a new film called Extraordinary Measures, starring Harrison Ford, previewed at Oxford’s Vue Cinema, telling the story of a family struggling with Pompe disease.

It focuses on the actions of one man and his quest to find a treatment for his two affected children.

Mr Constable, 51, said he had not yet seen the film but is glad to see the condition was getting exposure.

He recalled his GP having “no idea” about the disease when doctors first discovered he had it.

Mr Constable said: “I do hope and believe the film will raise awareness of Pompe’s disease.”

Oxford-based biotech firm Genzyme has been at the forefront of the development for the treatment with its drug Myozyme, which features in the film.

Mr Ford said: “I thought the story had something to say about personal courage, initiative, parents’ love and the power to overcome extraordinary circumstances.”

The disease has forced Mr Constable to modify his home – including installing a lift – to the tune of £60,000 to cope with his disability.

He said: “I’m 6ft 2in and weigh 17 stones, and I look like I should be really strong, but I have got absolutely no muscle strength.

“Looking back into my childhood I had the symptoms.

“I loved sport, but I couldn’t run, I couldn’t kick and I couldn’t throw. I had a really girly throw. I didn’t know what was wrong, people just used to say I was lazy.”

Mr Constable explained the disease affected almost everything in his life, including lifting, standing up and even sleeping.

He said: “I haven’t got the strength to keep myself upright if there is a little unexpected dip or crack, I just fall over.

“Sport is out. I can’t do more than a slow walk, 100 yards or so and I’m starting to get tired.”

Now on the drug Myozyme, Mr Constable, a project co-ordinator at RM in Milton Park, said the condition had stabilised.

He said: “The biggest bugbear is I can’t roll over in bed because I don’t have the strength.”

But Mr Constable, who has a 17-year-old son called George, said he does not let his disability get him down.

He said: “I have always been a glass half-full person rather than empty. Every day is a blessing.”