Sarah Jean Schwegel, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), works as the Public Policy and Advocacy specialist at Paraquad in St. Louis, Mo. In 2015, Sarah graduated from Maryville University with a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services. In 2018, she graduated from Saint Louis University with a master’s in Public Administration. Before she started working . . .
Elections are fundamental to a thriving democracy, and it’s vital everyone can exercise their right to vote, including those living with a disability. We know you may have questions about the process — and MDA’s Advocacy Institute has answers to help you make a plan to vote during this election. Voting is my right, but . . .
September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month, and today, Sept. 7, is World Duchenne Awareness Day, dedicated to spreading knowledge about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As we honor both, we’re providing an update on our work to ensure every state in the US screens babies at birth for DMD, leading to improved outcomes and longer, stronger lives. . . .
When the COVID-19 pandemic made meeting in person impossible, MDA’s Advocacy program needed to shift from in-person to virtual meetings with lawmakers. In early August, volunteers met with their lawmakers virtually — for the first time — to urge elected officials in Washington, DC, to end the process of surprise medical billing, which can be . . .
Ryan Colburn is a rare disease patient with a professional background in engineering and operations management, spending portions of his career working on racecars, airplanes, and rockets. Diagnosed with Pompe disease in 2015, he has spent the time since learning about rare disease topics including research, advocacy, and drug development to better understand how to . . .
Over the course of the last several months, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has undertaken many actions aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus and ensuring our first responders have the medical equipment, devices, diagnostic tools, and therapies to treat those with COVID-19. Simultaneously, the FDA has issued guidance on how . . .
We know families across the country, especially those in the neuromuscular disease (NMD) community, are concerned about the spread of coronavirus and its associated disease, COVID-19, and the impact on their loved ones. In these uncertain times, MDA’s advocacy team will not stop serving and amplifying the voices of those in the NMD community, especially . . .
It might only be a month into 2020, but MDA’s advocacy team and grassroots advocates are already making their voices heard. We expect the next 12 months to be crucial on Capitol Hill, and we’ll be working tirelessly in Washington, DC, to transform the lives of people living with neuromuscular disorders. Here’s a sneak peek . . .
Two years ago, I remember looking through the photos from the MDA Public Policy and Advocacy conference, excited to see so many in the neuromuscular disease community on Capitol Hill advocating for issues important to our community. I felt a sense of pride at what they were doing, but also, selfishly, a little bit of . . .
We believe in the power of community and the importance of building relationships with families going through similar experiences. If you are an individual living with a neuromuscular disease, we invite you and your loved ones to attend our MDA Engage Newborn Screening Webinar. It will broadcast live online on Friday, Aug. 30, from 11 . . .
