Blog Category: Stronger Stories

A guest blog from Declan Hickey, an 18-year-old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and previous participant in Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund

The Fritz family receives their new safe and accessible vehicle through Jett Giving Fund

Futrell family receives financial assistance through Jett Foundation’s Emergency Fund

“We moved to Colorado four months ago because my husband got a job with housing on a ranch. Then we were told the ranch was being sold, and we had only a few days days to move,” says Gail Neal.

“As a parent of a son living with Duchenne, the mission of my wife and myself is to do whatever we can to help our son enjoy every moment of life,” says Todd.

A Connecticut father reached out to Jett Foundation for assistance with putting food on the table for his family. Jason is a proud father of two boys. His son, Justin (12), was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at just 18-months-old.

“For four years, I have stressed about how to deal with getting a safe vehicle. This is life-changing” says Michelle, mother of Kelvin Jones. Kelvin is a young man diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from Johnston, Ohio.

“As our boys keep growing, we run into more barriers for transporting our family in a safe manner. Having two boys with Duchenne is incredibly difficult,” says Ember Thomas, the mother of two boys who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

On March 6, 2022, The Connecticut Chiefs hosted the 2nd annual Hockey for Jett Charity Game to support the Duchenne community.

Kelly Fitzpatrick says her life changed when she learned that not one, but all three of her sons have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Connor (11), Kian (9), and Finnegan McVey (7) are three brothers from Poynette, WI, finding joy in spending each day with one another and their mother who tackles every Duchenne obstacle as a single parent.

Addison Schwab is a smart, stubborn, hard-working 12-year-old who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of two and a half.

Heather Neal’s 15-year-old son, Tyler Guidry, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Unfortunately, a Duchenne diagnosis and the obstacles it brings are not all that Heather and her family have had to endure.