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…
Patient columnist Robin Stemple has many people who assist him, particularly his wife and daughter, and he is grateful for everyone who gives him help on a daily basis, often without him even having to ask.
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,…
It’s no secret that I love the holidays. If you look through my past columns, you’ll find some about Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays. I derive so much joy from creating a celebration for my family. Halloween is no exception. I am the queen of a good…
I always assumed my three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) wouldn’t get to experience college. I knew it would depend on their health, disease progression, and openness to making it happen, as well as all the typical things like good grades and test scores. However, as my…
When I moved to Pittsburgh in January to be closer to my children and grandchildren, we were aware that we’d have to make modifications to our new home. Finding an accessible home in that city was impossible, especially during the pandemic real estate boom, when houses were selling…
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