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.
Life feels busy, which is no surprise to me. My husband, Jason, and I share seven children: Lexi, 23; Max, 19; Chance, 17; Rowen, 15; Charlie, 13; Mary, 10; and Callie, 2. Max, Rowen, and Charlie live with…
Read more
While I love Christmas, I’m a Thanksgiving girl, too. Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things ever. I usually go shopping for vintage Christmas decorations and get at least one tree up before Thanksgiving. But I won’t…
I have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We had little need for durable medical equipment when they were young, but their needs have changed as they’ve aged and their disease has progressed. We have hospital…
Bleep. Bleep. Fire. Fire. Bleep. Bleep. It was 3 a.m., and my eyes flashed open as I bolted out of bed. The fire alarm was going off. Before I had left the bedroom, my 8-year-old daughter, Mary, was flying…
As a caregiver to my three sons living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), I’ve had a few bad days lately. I’ve generally felt worn out and a little sad, and the parties around here have been pity parties.
My family enjoys attending sports events and theater productions. There aren’t many things we like more than a nice meal out followed by a game or a play. However, seating for families with wheelchair users is…
School and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) don’t always go hand in hand. But of course, they can — and when they do, it’s beautiful. But even then, I doubt it’s come about without an extraordinary amount of work…
The days are long, but the years are short. I’ve often heard that sentiment from parents whose children seem to grow up too fast. I’ve had several moments myself over the years of parenting my seven children. I had…
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disease, but for me, the mother of three sons with DMD, things have been more nuanced. The grief I experience from being associated with a rare, chronic disease has been anticipatory,…
As a mom to three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Betty Vertin sometimes feels that she needs to meet their needs at the expense of her own. Recognizing when she needs to take some time away for self-care is vital to her perseverance as a caregiver and her mental health as a mom, she says.
There is power in community! I’m thankful that my family is part of a big, beautiful community: the parents, professionals, and, of course, those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). They are, in my opinion, the best! When…
A neuropsychological evaluation greatly affected how we plan to educate our 13-year-old son this school year. As Rowen begins the eighth grade, I am proud of the services he will receive. A neuropsychologist hasn’t always been a part of…
If you thought you missed my column last week, it wasn’t you — I didn’t write one. My kids were sick with cold symptoms. One thing you may not know about large families is that germs spread like wildfire,…
Get regular updates to your inbox.
