Even freshman orientation is more complicated for students with muscle diseases — and their parents
posted on July 1, 2009 - 2:52pm
Imagine 800 middle school students arriving for freshman orientation at Trabuco Hills High School in Southern California.
All students are taking their first steps onto a campus four times the size of their current school, complete with swimming pool, tennis courts, a school store, vending machines and a gym with real wood flooring.
posted on January 1, 2008 - 3:04pm
Abbey Umali and her family have been familiar presences on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon for the past two years. Now this winsome and charismatic 8-year-old from California steps further into the spotlight as MDA’s 2008 National Goodwill Ambassador.
Anyone who watched Abbey during her live interviews on the Telethon isn’t apt to forget her, any more than they’re apt to forget angels of...
posted on March 1, 2008 - 3:26pm
Every summer since 1955, kids have been granted the opportunity to escape the repetitious hardships of reality and relax among peers at one of MDA’s summer camps, which now number more than 90. To make it even better, campers are able to attend at no cost to themselves or their families.
Youngsters with neuromuscular diseases count the days until 'the best week of the year'
posted on March 1, 2007 - 9:46am
Friendships
posted on July 1, 2007 - 10:40am
Mattie in the News
posted on January 1, 2004 - 10:18am
Military family enlisted to serve as MDA's 2000 Goodwill Ambassadors
posted on January 1, 2000 - 12:00pm
Whether she's singing top 40 hits, sharing her expertise about Barbie dolls or talking about the latest book she's read, just about anyone who meets Lauren Carter is sure to remember the "little girl in the pink wheelchair."
posted on November 1, 2006 - 11:53am
Third-grader Wesley McHugh couldn’t wait to see the new playground at his school in Mandeville, La., near New Orleans. His excitement quickly changed to disappointment when his electric wheelchair was unable to maneuver over the bark-covered surface. During recess, he sat on the sidelines and watched his classmates play.
Wesley, who has nemaline myopathy, graciously accepted another barrier in...
Helping children understand their diagnoses
posted on July 1, 2006 - 2:23pm
Joanne Wechsler remembers when she first formally told her preschool-age son Adam that he “had muscular dystrophy.”
“I don’t have that!” he protested loudly. “I don’t have muscular dystrophy!”
posted on March 1, 2005 - 11:20am
Miranda Jackson’s first signs of muscle weakness came in first grade. A bright youngster with an engaging smile, she struggled not only with lack of coordination from myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD), but also with pain from a form of juvenile arthritis and depression from bipolar disorder.
