Recent Quest Articles
Music Makes It Better
Whether it’s through headphones, blasting out of the van speakers or playing live right in front of me, music has been my constant source of happiness. After years of misdiagnoses, I was recently diagnosed with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy called collagen VI (with a bunch of letters and numbers after it that make me sound like a robot). Through the ups and downs of medical woes and lifestyle changes — from walking to using a wheelchair — the one thing that has consistently put a smile on my face is music in any way, shape or form.
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Dollars for Scholars
The cost of higher education has soared over the past two decades. According to U.S. News & World Report, in-state tuition and fees at public universities have increased 243 percent, while they have jumped 168 percent at private institutions. For many prospective college students, winning scholarships is key to making education more affordable. The trick is thorough research. There are lots of scholarships out there, many of which are earmarked for individuals with particular backgrounds, students applying to particular schools, students pursuing particular fields of study and myriad other considerations. The best advice for students seeking financial assistance? Think broadly about how your situation applies to scholarships’ requirements and, above all, don’t be afraid to apply.
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Learning to Love Your Wheels
Matt Curcio is a 27-year-old disability rights advocate who is living with a form of congenital myopathy. He regularly speaks and writes to increase awareness of the disability community’s needs and encourage individuals with disabilities to seek the support they need to pursue their dreams.Yet, even as he advocates for others, he has experienced his own struggles with asking for assistance. “Even at a young age, I’ve considered certain types of help as enablement for myself,” he says. As his disease progressed, he resisted using a mobility device for as long as possible. While Curcio can still walk short distances, he now relies on a mobility scooter outside his apartment. Transitioning to the scooter was a 12-year process.
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Get Ready to Roll
For many people with neuromuscular disease, there comes a point when walking becomes too difficult, and it’s time to start thinking about power mobility aids. This typically boils down to choosing between a mobility scooter and a power wheelchair.Given the progressive nature of neuromuscular disease — not to mention the financial investment involved with purchasing a power mobility aid — it’s important not only to select something that will meet your functional needs now and in the future but also to advocate for features that will provide you with the best long-term quality of life.
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Chipping In
In 2017, PGA Tour golfer Morgan Hoffmann surprised the sports world by revealing that he had been diagnosed with facio-scapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Hoffmann made the announcement in an article for The Players’ Tribune, where he reflected on his career, his feelings about the diagnosis and his thoughts about the future. Recently, Quest followed up with Hoffmann.
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A Room of His Own
When Robbie Ivey, a 19-year-old soon-to-be college student from Iron River, Mich., and his mother, Carrie, first met Bill and Deb Weis, they had an idea but they didn’t know how to make it happen. They explained to the couple that they were looking for a way for Robbie to live more independently with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) by operating powered objects in his room, like the lights, TV and bed.
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Students of the World
Editor's note: Shortly after the Summer 2018 issue of Quest was published, we learned that Joe Brown, who was featured on the cover, passed away. Joe graciously shared with Quest his story of studying abroad in the United Arab Emirates for the article "Students of the World." Individuals like Joe and the families who love them are at the heart of everything we do and why MDA is committed to transforming the lives of patients with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other neuromuscular diseases. In this issue of Quest, we honor Joe's memory, spirit and passion for life.
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Meet MDA’s National Ambassadors
There was a palpable buzz in the air on March 12 at the kickoff of the 2018 MDA Clinical Conference in Arlington, Va. The announcement of the new MDA National Ambassador was one of the most-anticipated elements of the day, and the crowd was excited to learn that this year, MDA has not one but two National Ambassadors: 6-year-old Faith Fortenberry of Waco, Texas, and 17-year-old Justin Moy of Concord, Mass.
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Aging (Sort of) Gracefully with SMA
Recently, when a new homecare nurse arrived for training, Dad looked out the window and said, “She’s a young one.”“Well, Dad,” I replied, “We’re at the point where everybody’s young.” Despite my sarcasm, there was more than a little truth in this statement.Once I turned 45, evening nurses started putting me to bed at 11 p.m., after I had spent decades writing until the wee hours of the morning with the lights turned down and music blasting in my headphones, and then reading a few chapters of a book before turning in. I rebelled at the curfew, and I managed to sneak in the occasional all-nighter, but the next day I’d be running on fumes. This was my first indication that I’m not a young man anymore.
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The Great Accessible Outdoors
Jessica Albanese, 20, is passionate about the outdoors. The Delaware native, who lives with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), has navigated several of our country’s natural wonders in her power wheelchair.“Traveling is a passion of mine,” Albanese says. “I’ve hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains, I’ve seen the wild ponies at Assateague Island, and I’ve visited the alligators at Everglades National Park.”
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MDA Resource Center: We’re Here For You
Our trained specialists are here to provide one-on-one support for every part of your journey. Send a message below or call us at 1-833-ASK-MDA1 (1-833-275-6321). If you live outside the U.S., we may be able to connect you to muscular dystrophy groups in your area, but MDA services are only available in the U.S.
