Kennedy’s disease is a rare neuromuscular disease involving muscular degeneration and neurodegeneration, which is inherited and progresses gradually. In this piece I have symbolised its characteristics through the growth of a tree.

The tree trunk is constructed from muscle, constricting at its roots by long CAG (cytosine, adenine, guanine) repeating DNA. This is a defining trait of Kennedy’s disease and the underlying root cause found in patients androgen receptor gene.

External vegetation has been introduced to strangle the muscle, resulting in muscle atrophy and weakness. The tree branches represent its progression towards motor neuron degeneration, including both healthy and unhealthy motor neurons. This gradually reduces ability to control muscle as the diseases progresses.

Kennedy’s disease also only affects males, which is captured through the use of male flowers using the stamen as the satellite that attaches to the muscle fibres, portraying the concept of regeneration