My oldest son, Max, 18, graduated from high school last Sunday. Graduation is a milestone for all who achieve it, but since Max lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), it felt like an even greater accomplishment. I was bursting with emotion, including joy, relief, happiness, and fear.
Regular readers of my column will know that my wife, Wendy, and I moved from Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to Pittsburgh in January 2023 to be closer to our children and grandchildren. There have been some issues, but the move has worked out well. We see a lot more…
Life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) doesn’t get easier as time goes by, but it’s made better by laughter, love, and everything that’s learned along the way. Three of my seven children have DMD: Max, 18; Rowen, 15; and Charlie, 13. As you might imagine, my life is…
Last Saturday, I attended a focus group on behalf of a local patient advocacy community of which I’m a member. The agenda for discussion was a nationwide allied health strategy here in Singapore to be implemented in coming years. For those unfamiliar with the term allied health, Kent State…
Spring is by far the busiest season for my family. I have seven children who range in age from 2 to 23 years old, and three of them, Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13, are living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Caregiving for my three sons with…
I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13, are part of a bustling family, joined by four other siblings: Lexi, 22, Chance, 16, Mary, 9, and Callie, 2. We have no sets of twins or multiples, yet I have often grouped…
In my last column, I wrote about the increasing difficulties I’m having safely navigating my home using the “furniture surfing” technique. I wondered whether it was time that I break out the walker and give it another try. I also mentioned my plans to contact my doctor to discuss…
It’s now tornado season here in Nebraska, which is part of the U.S. Tornado Alley. I could write a column about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) being like a tornado in the way it came tearing through the life we’d established when my three sons — Max, 18,…
As my time with the assistance dog charity I work for comes to an end, I’m seeking opportunities to occupy my time and keep me meaningfully engaged. At the same time, I’m looking forward to discovering other means of employment to ensure that I realize my goal of self-reliance…
I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. When Max was young, he met all of his developmental milestones late. He didn’t sit up until he was 11 months old, crawl until after his first birthday, or walk until he was…
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