Leah Messer Explains Why It’s Been ‘a Challenge’ Navigating Daughter Ali’s Muscular Dystrophy

“Teen Mom: The Next Chapter” star Leah Messer shared how she has handled helping her 15-year-old daughter Ali with her muscular dystrophy.

While speaking to TooFab in January 2025, Messer said that the situation became more of “a challenge” as Ali has gotten older.

“Probably one of the hardest things I’ve gone through this far with being a mom and navigating her having muscular dystrophy. And knowing how to keep her safe, and also allowing her to be independent and get around just like everyone else,” said Messer to the publication.

Messer also said her daughter disagrees with some of her decisions about helping her with her health, specifically about her wheelchair usage. She said that while she did not initially want to, Ali has agreed to use her wheelchair for “long distances.”

“[S]he’s also got a voice, and she can use it. And we’re finding balance in all of that because I want her to use her voice and been teaching her, you know, to speak up and use your voice,” said Messer to the publication.

She also shared that her daughter goes to physical therapy “to maintain the strength that she has now.”

Leah Messer Spoke About Her Daughter’s Health in a September 2023 Interview

Messer spoke about Ali’s health in a September 2023 interview with E! News. She said she does not know if her daughter’s condition will worsen, but she is “always gonna remain hopeful.”

“Muscular dystrophy, it is a degenerative progressive disease. So we don’t know what the future really looks like. But I know that we’re going to enjoy every single moment now and continue to make memories and make the best of it. I think that she will continue to defy the odds,” said Messer to the publication.

Leah Messer Shared Her Appreciation for ‘Teen Mom’ Fans

During a January 2025 interview with Access Hollywood, alongside her “Teen Mom: The Next Chapter” co-stars Maci Bookout and Catelynn Baltierra, Messer said she has an appreciation for “Teen Mom” fans. Messer noted that she began starring on the franchise over 15 years ago. She said she felt as though fans have “grown up with” the show’s cast and their children.

“They’ve been able to watch the kids grow up. And it feels great to know that we have that audience,” said Messer during the interview.

In addition, Messer said she felt the show’s in-depth look at having children as a teenager has been helpful to younger viewers.

“I feel like it’s great that we’ve had a platform to really really make a difference for a lot of young girls and boys out here,” said Messer to Access Hollywood.