On the cover: Barbara Williams of Clackamas, Ore., first had FSHD symptoms in childhood. Recent surgery has given her less pain and better use of her right arm. Introduction Questions and Answers Does It Run in the Family? MDA's Search for Treatments and Cures MDA Is Here to Help You

MDA IS HERE TO HELP YOU

The Muscular Dystrophy Association offers a vast array of services to help you and your family deal with FSHD. If you’ve just received an FSHD diagnosis, the staff at your local MDA office is there to assist you in many ways. The Association’s services include:

• a nationwide network of 225 hospital-affiliated clinics staffed by top neuromuscular disease specialists

• weeklong MDA summer camps for kids with neuromuscular diseases

• professionally facilitated support groups for those affected, spouses, parents or other caregivers

• assistance with purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices

• evaluations for physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapy

• flu shots to help protect the respiratory system

• equipment loan closets

MDA’s public health education program helps you stay abreast of research news, medical findings and disability information, through educational speakers, seminars, videos, newsletters and more. Be sure to ask your local office for some of MDA’s latest pamphlets, including "Services for the Individual, Family and Community" and "Genetics and Neuromuscular Diseases."

MDA also has publications geared to children, and many items available in Spanish.

MDA’s World Wide Web site contains thousands of pages of valuable information, including MDA publications.

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