September is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month!

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September is DMD Awareness Month! Please join us in learning about this disease, and spreading what we’ve learned to friends, family and colleagues. That’s all we have to do for awareness, just to learn and tell others what you’ve learned.

 

What is DMD?

DMD is a genetic disorder in a protein called dystrophin is altered. Dystrophin is responsible for repairing muscles. The altered protein causes muscles to atrophy, decrease in size and strength. DMD is similar to other genetic disorders, and is in the group if disorders called: dystrophinopathies. The other three diseases that belong to this group are Becker Muscular dystrophy (BMD, a mild form of DMD); an intermediate clinical presentation between DMD and BMD; and DMD-associated with heart-disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) with little or no clinical skeletal, or voluntary, muscle disease.

 

What can Cause DMD?

DMD is a genetic disorder that is present from birth. Symptoms generally start presenting themselves at the age of 2 or 3, and the disease usually affects boys and in rare cases girls. 

French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne was the first to describe MD in the 1860s, but until the 1980s, little was known about the cause of any kind of muscular dystrophy. In 1986, MDA-supported researchers identified a particular gene on the X chromosome that, when mutated or changed, leads to DMD. In 1987, the protein associated with this gene was identified and named dystrophin. Lack of the dystrophin protein in muscle cells causes them to be fragile and easily damaged.

DMD has an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern and is passed on by the mother, who is referred to as a carrier. For more about the way gene mutations cause DMD, see Causes/Inheritance.

 

How can I Raise Awareness and Help?

There are several charities dedicated to helping people with DMD and furthering research into prenatal testing and treatments. You can help by donating to the charities (evika.io is not affiliated with the charities mentioned in this article). Perhaps even easier, just share this article on social media to help raise awareness for DMD.

Duchhene Muscular Dystrophy Charities:

 

Useful Assistive Devices for DMD

Here is a short list of assistive devices that may be useful for people with DMD Please consult with your healthcare provider to understand if devices are a good fit for your case.

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With this mobile phone holder attachment, you can keep your smartphone easily accessible and charged while on the go. Using your phone is a breeze, so you can enjoy your favorite music, make calls, check in on social media, or navigate around town.

Easy to Mount
Electric
Powered
Travel
Shopping
School
Office Work
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)
AMC (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Anoxic Brain Injury
Arthrogryposis
BPI (Brachial Plexus Injury)
Brainstem Cavernomas
Bulbar Palsy Plus Syndrome
CP (Cerebral Palsy)
DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)
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Perhaps you prefer to work with your laptop or simply enjoy your breakfast while in bed. If so, the Medical Overbed Table is the perfect solution.

Adjustable
Eating and Drinking
ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Paralysis
HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) (FSP)
CP (Cerebral Palsy) - Spastic Diplegia
Arthritis
DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
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Designed and created to help make patient handling safer for caregivers by helping to prevent back injuries from manual transfers, the ProBasics Hydraulic Patient Lift is safe, stable and affordable. With its slim design, the ProBasics Hydraulic lift is versatile enough for use with most patient transfers. The lift features include durable steel construction with a hammertone finish, a push handle, a padded swivel bar and two locking rear casters. The ProBasics Hydraulic patient lift is light-weight, assembles and disassembles easily, and will rotate patients without side-to-side sway.

Ergonomic
Getting in/out of Bed
Using the Bathroom
ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
SCI (Spinal Cord Injury)
Spina Bifida
MD (Muscular Dystrophy)
CP (Cerebral Palsy) - Spastic Diplegia
HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) (FSP)
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For people with hemiplegia, paraplegia, hemiparesis, and paraparesis who have limited or no use of their leg(s), Attaches to leg in 3 places, Helpful for both individuals and caregivers.

Adjustable
Rehabilitation
Using the Bathroom
Transferring
Riding in a Van/Mini-Bus
Car Trips
DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
MD (Muscular Dystrophy)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
CP (Cerebral Palsy)
Movement Disorder
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Although existing portable fans are mostly for handheld use, with their arms, the fan can be free-standing, wrapping or hanging anywhere you go. Installing strollers, wheelchairs, and car headrests are examples of use.

Adjustable
Easy to Mount
Electric
Light-Weight
For Warm Weather
Portable
Outdoor
Beach
Camping
Short Walks
Shopping
Travel
Summer
DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
MD (Muscular Dystrophy)
CP (Cerebral Palsy)
CP (Cerebral Palsy) - Spastic Diplegia
HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) (FSP)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
MSA (Multiple System Atrophy)
evika top pick!
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Experience the beauty of lightweight travel with the Jazzy® Passport. This compact power chair folds in just a few simple steps for effortless transport. With convenient storage, the Jazzy® Passport makes getting around easier than ever before.

Foldable
Electric
Powered
Light-Weight
4-Wheel
RWD (Rear Wheel Drive)
Outdoor
Shopping
Travel
Air Travel
Arthritis
CP (Cerebral Palsy)
Diabetes
Frail - Elderly
Amputee
Leg Amputee
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
PD (Parkinson's Disease)
DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
MD (Muscular Dystrophy)
MSA (Multiple System Atrophy)
Morbid obesity

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