“Porch Nite felt like family. It is amazing to be with people who understand your life.”
“I finally had the opportunity to meet and spend time with other Duchenne moms.”
“As an early-ambulatory family, it was great to hear from parents with older Duchenne children.”
After two years of strictly virtual Porch Nites due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our moms reunited once again in Princeton, NJ on the weekend of February 18-19, 2023.
Princeton holds a special place in the hearts of Jett Foundation and our moms in the Duchenne community, as it was the first location that Porch Nite was hosted back in 2018. Both in-person and virtual Porch Nites aim to spread laughter, love, support, and build connections among moms on a Duchenne journey.
In New Jersey, our moms enjoyed Jett welcome bags, dinner, snacks and drinks while getting to know one another and sharing experiences in Duchenne. Many of our moms stayed overnight in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, waking up to brunch and more company before departing until next time.
Perlita Hains, a Jett Community Ambassador and moderator of Porch Nite, says, “Our recent in-person Porch Nite was truly a breath of fresh air. Being able to hug my Duchenne mommas was amazing. Meeting Leela, a DMD grandmother, was my most memorable moment. She gave a perspective that I hadn’t recognized lately. Her love and humility touched me deeply. There’s nothing like being in the presence of moms who GET IT!”
Jessica Campbell, also a Jett Community Ambassador who moderates Porch Nite, shares what the experience means to her: “From my first plane ride EVER to seeing parts of Philadelphia to crossing into New Jersey and meeting new friends, this weekend was full of first experiences and growth!”Â
She also says, “Being a part of Porch Nite with Jett Foundation has allowed me to grow throughout this journey with Duchenne as a mother, as a woman, and as an advocate. I remember feeling so lost (and still do at times), not knowing who to turn to or ask for advice when making life-changing decisions. Spending time with this diverse group of women, who just get it, is empowering. Porch Nite comes with a few tears and lots of laughter. Duchenne isn’t a one size fits all diagnosis. I hope these women truly know how much of a difference they’ve made in my life and how much they’ve taught me in only a short time together.”
Porch Nite was founded in 2018 by two Jett Foundation Community Ambassadors and moms of children affected by Duchenne to bring love, support, and laughter to mothers affected by Duchenne across the United States. Discussion topics range from support for single parents to grief and loss to traveling with Duchenne, and much more.
More information on Jett Foundation’s Family Support Groups can be found here.
Jett Foundation continues to promote and assist Family Support Groups such as Porch Nite to help build stronger support systems, relationships, education, and connections across the Duchenne community.
Our next in-person Porch Nite retreat will be on April 15-16, 2023, following our Family Workshop. We look forward to seeing many of our moms and families in Gainesville, Florida! Jett Foundation also has many virtual Porch Nites remaining in 2023 for our moms, grandparents, and extended family.
