Party of 9 — Betty Vertin

A banner for Betty Vertin's "Party of 9" that depicts a large family walking across a field at sunset..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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I am watching a child lose his independence for the third time

My son Charlie has recently been unable to get into his power wheelchair on his own, and I know I am watching him lose the ability to ambulate, as I did with two of my other sons. Charlie, 15, like his brothers Max, 20, and Rowen, 17, lives with…

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Columns

As a Duchenne mom, I know I can do hard things

The seasons are changing in central Nebraska. The leaves have turned yellow and orange, a beautiful contrast littered across the green lawns and familiar streets surrounding my home. The mornings are brisk, and I’ve finally pulled out my warmer sweaters and fuzzy socks. I’ve been drinking pumpkin spice coffee for weeks!…

Columns

Duchenne affects my entire life, down to a DIY project

I’m a mom to seven children: Lexi, 23; Max, 18; Chance, 17; Rowen, 15; Charlie, 13; Mary, 10; and Callie, 2. As part of that job, I’m also a caregiver to Max, Rowen, and Charlie, who all have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Additionally, I’m a chronic DIYer (do-it-yourselfer). Yes,…

Columns

I wish all of my sons could have played football

I sat in the front row of the football stadium, watching my second-oldest son, Chance, 17, play football. It’s his senior year, and I’ve been front and center at each game. That front row has the accessible seating, which helps because Chance has three brothers living with…

Columns

Every week, we try to organize chaos in our family of 9

What’s a typical week as a caregiver of three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) like? As a primary caregiver to Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13, my honest answer is that I wish I knew! There is no typical week. I also have four children who…

Columns

This time, new medical equipment is hard for me to accept

Our house is getting a new piece of medical equipment this week. That’s happened before, as we have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. Over the past decade, in fact, our house has been a landing zone for lots of equipment…

Columns

A friend in the DMD world makes a difference in my self-care

In my recent columns, I’ve shared several challenges we’ve faced in the past months of my family’s journey with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). My accessible van will be in the shop for the foreseeable future. I’ve returned to work after over a decade at home as a…

Columns

Lessons that come from a long journey with DMD

I walked home from school today. I’m almost 45 years old, yet today, with my backpack on, my empty lunch container stuffed inside, and a sweater tied around my waist, I walked home from school. As I pondered whether I was overthinking that image, my daughter Mary, 9, who goes…

Columns

How I’ve gotten through a busy season in the life of my family

My life has recently been a whirlwind of activity. Now that the dust is finally settling, I’ve taken advantage of the relative quiet to take inventory of my family. An inventory of my family? What does that even mean? I have a large family. Inventory is how I describe keeping…

Columns

Living on campus is new territory for one son with DMD

My past two columns highlighted significant life events: my daughter’s wedding and my return to the workforce. I’m keeping that theme going today as well, noting my oldest son’s move into his college dorm! Having children leave to experience lives of their own, outside the home you’ve…

Columns

Confronting the financial burdens of DMD with a heap of faith

I have seven children, and three of them are living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. If you’re a caregiver or a parent, I’m sure you’ll understand how tired I am. I won’t peruse my past columns, but I’m sure…

Columns

The dance floor at my daughter’s wedding had room for all

I’m officially a mother-in-law! That’s a new title for me. I’m a mom to the seven children I share with my husband, Jason. I’m also a special needs mom and warrior mama to my three sons living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). And now I’m also a mother-in-law…


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