Category: Services

Christina was twelve years old when she started to experience weakness in her legs. She struggled to get up off the floor and just climbing stairs became very hard. Sometimes, her legs would give out entirely.

As an active and energetic youth who was involved in many sports, Christina kept making excuses for her sudden change in abilities. “I’m just being clumsy,” or “My legs are just not strong enough”, she said.
As her muscle weakness continued to progress, Christina was referred to a specialist. After several tests and visits, she and her family received life altering news.

Christina was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy.

Finally, Christina and her family had the answers they so desperately needed. Initially relieved to finally have an explanation for her change in ability, her diagnosis led to many more questions— questions that no one seemed to have the answers to.

“My parents and I had never heard of neuromuscular disorders before,” she says. “This was a new world to us. There were a lot of questions and tests and doctors weren’t able to give us clear information about what this would mean for me going forward. It was hard to get answers to these really important questions.”

We need your support now to ensure people like Christina and her family have access to the resources they need. Someone to answer questions and to act as a guide along the way. Your gift will help break down barriers.

When a Canadian is diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder, we know they will need a lot of support and services. But the systems around us – provincial healthcare, private insurance, and government policy – aren’t set up to give that kind of full support. These systems are also difficult for people to navigate. So that’s why we’re here – to fill in the healthcare gaps and help people find their way through these systems.

MDC has a full spectrum of programs, services, and supports for the thousands of Canadians of all ages living with a neuromuscular disorder. Plus, we invest in transformative research to work towards more answers, therapies, and hopefully, potential cures.

Please consider becoming a monthly donor today. Monthly donations provide ongoing support, allowing MDC to be nimble and respond to immediate and urgent priorities – like the needs of our clients and emerging, promising research.

Donate Today!

While Christina still doesn’t have all the answers to her questions, she knows that MDC is with her every step of the way and that research plays an important role in her quality of life. Christina emphasizes that even without a cure, the diagnosis itself was crucial.

“As hard as the diagnosis may be, education is one of the most important pieces,” she says. “It is a big step in accepting your diagnosis and leading the best life possible. You will have to advocate for yourself, and being informed is one of the best ways you can do that!”

Please renew your commitment to MDC today by making a monthly gift. Your support helps provide Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders with answers to their most important questions. By making a gift today, you will provide access to the critical information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Donors like you make MDC’s support of individuals and families possible. Your generosity today will help eliminate the barriers that keep Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders from reaching their full potential.

Today, at 35 years old, Christina’s neuromuscular disorder plays a big part in how she moves and operates every single day, but it doesn’t stop her from living her best life. As a self-described social-butterfly who enjoys travelling and going to concerts, Christina credits MDC with helping her have such a positive outlook.

“MDC has played a very important role in who I am today. It has given me the tools to connect with people that are affected like me,” she says. “It has educated me and has made me comfortable in my own skin”.

With your ongoing support, we can help other people affected by neuromuscular disorders achieve their own goals and live their best lives, too.

With your help, we can accomplish incredible things!

Donate Today!

Have you ever heard of Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN)? Probably not. It’s a really rare neuromuscular disorder.

Hi! My name is Jordan and I’m 9-years old. When I was three and a half, a doctor told me I had GAN. My family had no idea what this meant. But the doctor told us that my nervous system is slower and doesn’t work as well as other kids’.

When I was little, I had trouble standing up and walking. At first, my parents thought I was just clumsy. I don’t remember this very well, but my mom says getting my diagnosis was like a never-ending road.

It took two whole years to figure out what was happening to me. When they finally found out about my disorder, my mom says it felt like she was kicked in the gut.

If you give a gift today, scientists can find out more about rare disorders to help people, like me. And today, your gift will go two times as far because a generous donor has agreed to match all gifts to my letter up to $25,000.

Did you know there are over 160 different kinds of neuromuscular disorders? That’s a lot. I have one of the really rare types. And there are lots of other people with different rare types too! Thankfully MDC is here to help people no matter what type they have!

Will you give a gift today so families like mine can get the help they need?

When I was 4-years-old, I needed a walker. Then when I turned five, I got my first wheelchair. Later, MDC helped me get a cool new power wheelchair. I’m really lucky, because I have donors, like you, to help me. But there are a lot of other people with rare disorders who need help, too.

It’s great that we know what my disorder is so that I can get the help I need. Many kids aren’t able to get diagnosed.

My disorder never stops me from having fun! I always wanted to learn how to dance so my mom signed me up for dance classes. She didn’t want to wait because one day I might be in my wheelchair full-time and dance classes would be very different.

Sometimes, my family needs help. If I need a new wheelchair or something else to help me, my mom just picks up the phone and calls MDC. Sometimes she talks to them for a long time, but she always seems happy.

Donors like you help make moms and dads feel happy, and less angry and sad. Right now, because of a special donor, your gift will help even more people! Will you give a gift today?

There are so many different types of disorders. But everyone should be able to get the help they need! MDC supports research, advocacy and helps families like mine get support and equipment—like my walker and wheelchair! When you donate to MDC, it really helps. We are so lucky to have you.

By giving a gift, you give me and families all over Canada HOPE for the future. I’m counting on you to give a generous gift today so you can help others live their best life.

Thank you for helping kids like me keep on dancing!

Jordan Gagnon

P.S. A generous donor has agreed to match the gifts from my letter! How awesome is that? They will match up to $25,000. Which means we can help so many other families. MDC supports research for treatments and earlier diagnosis and supports families impacted by ALL neuromuscular disorders, even the really rare ones—like mine!