Columns

Note: This column describes the author’s sons’ experiences with a trial dose of Translarna (ataluren) in the U.S. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’m a mother to three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18,…

I was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) at age 14, when I was a freshman in high school. But even before that, I had begun adapting to my physical challenges. My FSHD journey actually started with a counselor from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation who visited…

Readers of my column may recall one I wrote last December, titled “How I Define Love With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.” In it, I shared my heartfelt thoughts about relationships, romance, and love. Today, I have positive news to share: A few months after I wrote…

How does Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affect me as a mom? Am I numb? Have I accepted it? Has DMD killed a piece of my heart? Will it keep taking parts of me? These questions have been weighing on my heart, but it’s been hard to put them into…

Though I can still function somewhat independently despite my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and blindness, I acknowledge that I get a lot of support from my family and friends every day. Here I’d like to express my thankfulness for the help I enjoy, most of the time without…

It was almost midnight on a Friday night, and for hours, my husband, Jason, and I hadn’t seen or heard from our oldest son, Max, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In most situations, we would’ve been out of our minds with fear. But that night, we were smiling.

Late last month I turned 28 years old, the age my brother, Isaac, was when he passed away from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). I have the same disease, and it’s put me through many exhausting battles. But each time, I’ve emerged stronger. In fact, I graduated with a…

Siblings are the greatest thing I have given my children. They are built-in friends who share the earliest memories, parents, and everything else. As my kids have gotten older, they have many “remember that time” stories they love to laugh about as they reminisce. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)…

I’m looking out our patio doors at our backyard. I can hear the not-so-gentle Nebraska gales blowing around the wind chimes this morning as I watch leaves drift through the air. I’ve just come in from a fast-paced walk; sweat is sticking to my neck, and my heart rate is…

I’ll admit that I was a support group cynic in my younger days. My attitude was that I’d figure things out on my own. I just couldn’t see the benefit of sitting around a table and talking to others about my struggle with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). In retrospect,…