Betty has a master’s degree in management from Doane College that serves her well as a mother of several. Prior to her becoming a stay-at-home mother and caregiver, Betty worked in the nonprofit sector serving several programs in her community. Betty lives in Nebraska with her husband, John, and their children. Betty’s sons Max, Rowen, and Charlie live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Max was diagnosed 11 years ago at age 4; Rowan and Charlie were diagnosed in the months following at ages 2 years and 7 months. In her limited free time, Betty enjoys walking her dog, reading, writing, gardening, and DIY projects. She hopes her column, “Party of 9,” helps others learn more about her sons’ disease and serves as an avenue to connect with and support other families living with Duchenne.
As a child, I wasn’t around people who used power wheelchairs. Perhaps because my sons were the first people I’d met who were living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), or maybe because I’m old enough, power chairs…
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As a mom and caregiver to three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), my focus is always on someone else, and I tend to slip lower and lower on the priority list. I’ve been thinking about this…
Nebraska does have big cities. Well, it has two big cities. And the truth is that Omaha, our largest, is smaller than places like Denver, Los Angeles, and New York. If you have not read my column before,…
Three boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), plus one mom, plus three clinic days equals much preparation. On Tuesday, the four of us left our home in Nebraska to drive to Denver for the boys’ neuromuscular clinic…
I hope my columns haven’t sounded repetitive lately. I know I’ve mentioned more than once that my oldest son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Max, fell and broke his leg almost four weeks ago. But I continue to…
Life feels a little messy right now. It feels like I have no control. As a full-time caregiver to my three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and a mother to my seven children, my days are…
The past week has been difficult. Our oldest son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Max, fell last week and hurt his leg. In the past several days, we’ve figured out how to dress him and help him in…
I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 17, Rowen, 14, and Charlie, 12. Rowen stopped walking three years ago at the age of 11, after he fell and broke his lower leg. Of course,…
Most days, my husband, Jason, and I take our kids to school in the same van. It’s an excellent time to be with them before school, and I get a nice 10-minute date with Jason after dropping off…
We had a snowstorm last week that left us with 10 inches of snow after just a few hours. It still looks like a winter wonderland outside. My children had two days off of school as a result. We…
Birthdays can be challenging for parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). When our children were diagnosed, we were given a life expectancy. And as our children turn a year older, it’s a reminder…
Before three of my sons were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), I didn’t know what I didn’t know. After that, my learning curve went straight up. I still needed to learn the amount of advocacy…
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