According to the National Science Foundation, individuals living with a disability, such as neuromuscular disease, are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Yet STEM-based careers are growing exponentially, and diversity is needed to drive innovation in these fields. As part of MDA’s mission to transform the lives of individuals living with neuromuscular . . .
Beginning in the early 1950s, when public awareness and understanding of muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases were extremely limited, MDA began calling upon individuals living with these diseases to serve as National Ambassadors, telling their personal stories and inspiring support of MDA. More than 40 MDA National Ambassadors, including children and adults, have met U.S. . . .
In 1950, when the Muscular Dystrophy Association was founded, muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular disease weren’t well known or well understood. But they were, as today, affecting an entire community of kids and adults. And so in 1952, MDA made a move to introduce this community of individuals and families to the world. MDA’s National Ambassador . . .
School creeps up on you! At first you look at your three-and-a-half months on the calendar and marvel at the expansive possibilities, but here I am three months later and I’ve done maybe three quarters of what I wanted to get done. It’s not to say that I’ve been lounging around, although there has been . . .
Reagan Imhoff, 14, is a former MDA National Ambassador (2014-2015) and a current camper at MDA Summer Camp in Wisconsin. Reagan, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), thoroughly enjoys MDA Summer Camp, and she was excited to connect with current MDA National Ambassador Faith and share perspectives on what it’s like to stay at . . .
An older gentleman came up to me once. I had just been on TV for the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon talking about how facioscalpulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) affects my facial muscles and my ability to really smile and show my teeth. The gentleman put his hand on my shoulder and said with good . . .
If I could describe the 2019 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference in Orlando, Fla., with one word, it would be “massive” — but fortunately, I have an entire blog post to share my thoughts on this impactful event. The sense of scale I experienced began before I even entered the actual conference. On the eve . . .
When getting acquainted with something new, you can toe-test or you can jump. As for my newly appointed MDA National Ambassador role, attending the inaugural MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference was, no doubt, the best kind of canon ball. Though I have been around the scene locally for decades, this was my first time at . . .
On Labor Day weekend, Harley-Davidson and the Muscular Dystrophy Association hit the streets of Milwaukee to celebrate Harley’s 115th anniversary — and the 38-year partnership between the iconic American motorcycle maker and MDA. Thousands of riders and bikes convened for Harley’s celebratory 115th Anniversary Parade on Sept. 2. Within the parade was MDA’s Parade of . . .
This year, Harley-Davidson is celebrating its 115th anniversary — and we at the Muscular Dystrophy Association are thanking them for dedicating 38 of those years to supporting our mission. Since 1980, Harley-Davidson has partnered with MDA for a single shared ideal: freedom. Freedom comes in many different forms; this can look like hitting the open . . .
