Leah Messer Shares Update on Daughter Ali's Muscular Dystrophy

Teen Mom 2 star Leah Messer calls her daughter Aliannah Hope Simms (a.k.a. Ali) “the strongest and most determined child” she has ever met while sharing an update about her 10-year-old’s battle with muscular dystrophy in an exclusive interview with In Touch.

The MTV alum, 28, reveals she is in constant awe of Ali’s bravery and will-power. “And I have three very strong-willed, three very strong, powerful women that will build empires and do amazing things,” the 16 and Pregnant alum adds. “But that girl, Ali, her determination, it’s so inspiring.”

Leah Messer and Daughter Ali — Courtesy Leah Messer/Instagram

Ali, one of Leah’s two daughters shared with ex-husband Corey Simms, was diagnosed with Titin’s muscular dystrophy, a rare form of the disease, in 2014. It can often result in progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.

The mom of three says Ali is always up for a challenge and “doesn’t give up until she figures it out,” which impresses and motivates her, too. On top of that, the preteen embraces her own uniqueness.

“And even if that looks a little different from the way everyone else does it, and she’s not afraid to use her voice to speak up,” Leah tells In Touch about her daughter. “[She asks] how can I adapt and make this so I can be a part of it or we can? And that sometimes looks different from the way another child may do it, but I’m just so proud of them. I love my girls,” the reality TV mama continues.

Back in May, Leah spoke out against the criticism and shameless trolling her daughter Ali was subject to. The TM2 star tells In Touch it was “despicable” and “disgusting” for people to leave cruel comments on her social media posts, and she plans to always stand up for anyone being mistreated.

Leah Messer Daughter Makeup — Courtesy of Leah Messer/Instagram

“It won’t affect her because I feel like I’m raising a very strong daughter,” Leah explains. “Yes, she has muscular dystrophy, but it doesn’t make her any different than the next person and she deserves the same thing in life; same experience.”

The West Virginia native also touches on Ali’s muscular dystrophy battle in her new memoir Hope, Grace, & Faith, and she will share more insight about her personal life in season 10 of Teen Mom 2. Leah will open up about “the emotional rollercoaster, the ups and downs that kind of take place, raising Ali with muscular dystrophy and bringing awareness to that.”

In addition to that, Leah promises to be “an open book” about her own addiction issues and more in upcoming episodes, and fans will get to see her in a new light. The star adds, “I’m excited to just finally be myself and, and I’m ready for that.”