While we often think of the physical aspects of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, we don’t often talk about the emotional effect it has—especially for caregivers.

As part of World Duchenne Awareness Day’s emphasis on Women in Duchenne, PPMD hosted a webinar emphasizing the importance of psychosocial wellness for mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and anyone in the role of caregiver for someone with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy.

Mena Scavina, DO, PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center program Advisor and Pediatric Neurologist at Nemours Children’s Health, welcomed a group of panelists to a discussion on the emotional implications being a caregiver can have on someone. Our panel included:

• Jamie Jackson, PhD, a researcher and licensed clinical psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Kiley Winstead, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker formerly at Kennedy Krieger Institute
• Gretchen Agans, an MSW candidate, Duchenne mom, and PPMD Connect Group coordinator