Party of 9 — Betty Vertin

“What can I do to help?” It was my husband’s answer to the long rant I’d just finished. I didn’t know I needed an answer, but his caught my attention. Beyond the weight of…

“I didn’t think you’d jump with us,” said my daughter Mary, 9, breathing heavily as she bounced from trampoline to trampoline. It’s true; I’d never taken her or her little sister Callie, 2, to…

Recently, our family had terrific reasons to celebrate. I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. They are doing things we never imagined they’d…

When three of my sons — Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13 — were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy between July 2010 and August 2011, my learning curve was practically a vertical line.

I feel relaxed — refreshed, even. We’ve had almost two weeks at home without any appointments or travel. The kids are complaining of boredom, but I’m letting boredom reign! It’s a beautiful but rare…

What’s it like to have three children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)? That’s the question I’m asked more than any other, as a mom and caregiver to three sons with DMD: Max, 18,…

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…

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…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…