The Dinh family’s world felt cracked – slipping away by the day – years ago after learning that their two sons, Steven and Simon, were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder causing a lack of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Their parents, Kristina and Si, no longer imagined their boys’ childhood full of running, jumping, and playing without limits. Instead, they faced unforeseen challenges while the boys’ bodies progressively weakened.
Now 15 and 11 years old, Steven and Simon rely on power wheelchairs to get around and have lost their ability to move independently. To leave their home in Dracut, MA, Kristina and Si were carrying the boys, risking the safety of the whole family. They also have a three-year-old son, Dennis. “We couldn’t safely get the boys to appointments, school, tutoring, and daily activities,” shares Kristina and Si. “The boys deserve to see new places and get the care they need.”
Thankfully, the Dinh family connected with Jett Foundation and became participants in the Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund. Kristina, Si, and their sons successfully fundraised half the cost of their vehicle before Jett Foundation covered remaining expenses with the help of sponsors, delivering a new van to the family on February 26th, 2025.
At a local American Legion Post for their van celebration, the Dinh family was surrounded with love and support from friends in the Duchenne community, Jett Foundation staff, coworkers, and representatives from ITF Therapeutics, a generous Jett Giving Fund sponsor. After lunch, a photo shoot, van tutorial and many hugs, the Dinh family hit the road with relief from many years of transportation struggles.
Kristina says, “In the midst of our struggles, we found kindness. Strangers became friends and friends became family. When we were accepted into the Accessible Vehicle Fund, we weren’t just offered support; we were offered freedom. At the time, a safe and accessible van was something we could only dream of. Now, our boys can safely go to school, the park, and appointments without struggle.”
To view more photos from the Dinh family’s celebration, please click here.
The Jett Giving Fund program has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country since its inaugural cycle in 2017, gifting over $4.5 million worth of accessible vehicles, small medical equipment, and emergency assistance thanks to the generous support of individual donors, local communities, and major sponsors including Cure Dale’s Duchenne, The Flatley Foundation, Sarepta Therapeutics, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Finn’s Friends, ITF Therapeutics, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, The Killian Family, Michael’s Cause, the Nicholoff Family, Robert E. & Marie Orr Smith Foundation, Ryan’s Quest, and Yale Appliance.
You can assist families impacted by Duchenne through the Accessible Vehicle Fund, Emergency Fund, and Equipment Assistance Fund by donating today or reaching out to Maura Carroll, Director of Development, at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
If you or someone you know is in need of support or would like more information on our Jett Giving Fund, please visit www.jettfoundation.org/giving-fund.
