Planning for a tornado emergency with 3 sons who have DMD
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…
Party of 9 — Betty Vertin
Betty Vertin is a mother and writer living in rural Hastings, Nebraska, with her husband and seven children. Betty is a caregiver to three sons, Max, Rowen, and Charlie. Her oldest was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2010 at 4 years old. The other boys were diagnosed with the same in the following year. Although Duchenne occasionally crashes the party, it has not kept her large family from celebrating and enjoying life. She writes her column in hopes of sharing her family’s experiences with others on a similar journey.
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Stuck in limbo with both accessible vans out of commission
I live in rural Nebraska with my husband and our seven children. Three of them — Max, 19; Rowen, 15; and Charlie, 14 — live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). People who meet…
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I’m feeling all the emotions as my oldest son reaches a big milestone
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…
Reflecting on the beauty in life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. While caregiving and parenting three young men with Duchenne is full of the challenges and heartaches I…
Managing motherhood and caregiving: Where is the beauty?
My mind is spinning like the wheels on my son’s power wheelchair in the freshly fallen snow. You did not read that wrong, and it’s not a hypothetical. Here in Nebraska, it snowed this…
Duchenne clinical trials show me how mature my sons have become
I recently took my three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to a hospital in Denver for three days of a clinical trial. One day was for each of them — Max,…
7 tips for traveling alone with my 3 sons who have Duchenne
I am traveling this week with my three sons who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18; Rowen, 15; and Charlie, 13. The four of us are in Denver for three days of…
When siblings take a back seat to their brothers with Duchenne MD
I don’t want to miss a thing. Yes, as I typed that, I sang the Aerosmith song in my head. It’s the soundtrack to my husband Jason’s favorite movie, “Armageddon.” But more…
5 things I didn’t anticipate about caring for teens with Duchenne MD
Life is lived in seasons, at least here in Nebraska, where we experience all four of them. Some days offer nearly perfect weather: The sun is shining, the temperature is in the mid-70s, and…
In choosing a college, my son with DMD is already winning
I am a competitive former college athlete married to a someone who is equally competitive and also was a college athlete. We like to win and try to position ourselves in ways to make…
The things we don’t talk about as Duchenne caregivers
When three of my sons were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy more than 10 years ago, I shared everything we experienced on social media and found support and understanding. But as they grow…
When I get overwhelmed by life as a caregiver, I count my joys
Pulling into a parking spot at my oldest son’s high school, I hit a parked car with my van. Thankfully, there was no damage to either vehicle, and the car’s owner, sitting in the…
How I realized I was doing too much for my sons with DMD
I do too much. You might assume I’m talking about caregiving because you’re reading a column written by a caregiver. And in part, you’re right. But mostly, it’s an admission that I’ve…
