Recently, the Duchenne and Becker community gathered virtually for the final PPMD Together meeting of the year. This intimate session centered on fostering friendships for everyone in the family while living with dystrophinopathy.
The meeting, led by PPMD’s CEO, Katherine Beaverson, emphasized the community’s experiences of fostering relationships at every stage of life. Rachel Poysky, a DMD mom, shared how social anxiety, which is not uncommon in individuals with dystrophinopathy, can have an impact on social interactions and relationships. Keenan Gluck, an adult living with Duchenne and a member of PPMD’s PAAC, shared, “Once I recognized my social anxiety, it was much easier to navigate through it.”
Discussion also included the importance of being true to you or your child’s unique self and focusing on their interests and hobbies. However the main takeaway of the night was the value of community itself. Many attendees highlighted how PPMD gatherings, virtual groups, volunteering, and the broader community can foster meaningful friendships. Whether you find connections locally or online, there are many avenues for connection.
Here are a few ways to find connection and support through PPMD:
- Lighthouse Workshops led by Rachel Callendar
- PPMD Adult Advisory Committee (PAAC)
- Virtual Tween Socials
- PPMD Regional Connect Groups
- PPMD Affinity Groups
Additionally, PPMD is happy to meet anytime through our PPMD For You program where we can talk through anything from care & research to school, daily life and community. We are here to support you and your family so no one has to navigate this alone.
Looking Ahead Together
As we wrap up this year’s PPMD Together series, it’s clear that something special sets this community apart: the unwavering strength we find in showing up for each other. Through our conversations—whether about friendship, caregiving, advocacy, or the everyday ups and downs—our sense of connection has stayed strong, creating a space where everyone feels seen and supported.
PPMD will keep building spaces for families and individuals affected by Duchenne and Becker to come together, learn, and grow. The conversations and support will continue, and so will the friendships and bonds that mean so much.
Here’s to the next year filled with shared experiences, heartfelt connections, and all the new relationships waiting just around the corner!
The post Closing Out the Year with Connection & Community at PPMD Together appeared first on Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.