Walking & Active
Making It Possible
Every family deserves the opportunity to create meaningful memories, participate in everyday life, and say 'yes' to experiences that matter.
The good news is that you do not have to figure everything out alone. Around the world, organizations help families access adaptive equipment, camps, travel assistance, wish experiences, recreation, emergency support, and other resources that can make life with Duchenne a little easier.
The hardest part is often knowing where to begin. Our hope is that this page helps you find that starting point.
Search by Need
Tap a chip to filter the resource library. Select more than one to combine needs.
Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive equipment can help children continue participating in everyday life while reducing physical strain and increasing independence. Many organizations provide grants or financial assistance for equipment that is not fully covered by insurance or government programs.
Medical Travel & Transportation
Traveling to neuromuscular clinics, specialty hospitals, or clinical trial sites can create unexpected financial and logistical challenges. Many organizations help with transportation, lodging, flights, or fuel expenses.
Camps & Recreation
Many organizations help children attend camps, adaptive recreation programs, and outdoor adventures that create lifelong friendships and memories.
Wish & Experience Programs
Some of the most meaningful support available to families doesn't come in the form of a check. It comes as an unforgettable experience. Wish organizations and experience programs help children and families create memories that last a lifetime — meeting a hero, taking a dream vacation, or celebrating a special milestone.
Family Travel & Vacation Support
There are relatively few organizations that provide unrestricted vacation funding. However, many families successfully combine assistance from wish organizations, nonprofit grants, hospital foundations, community organizations, fundraising platforms, and local charities to make meaningful trips possible. Think about building a plan using multiple resources.
Vehicle Modifications
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles, lifts, and adaptive driving equipment open up a world of independence. Manufacturer rebates, lease programs, and nonprofit grants can help offset the cost.
Home Accessibility
Ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and stairlifts can make home life easier for the whole family. Local nonprofits, government programs, and community service clubs often help cover modification costs.
Adaptive Technology
Eye-gaze devices, adaptive gaming setups, voice-controlled tools, and communication technology help children stay connected to school, friends, and play.
Emergency Assistance
Sometimes families need help with everyday necessities. Many organizations provide temporary assistance during periods of financial hardship — housing, utilities, food, medical travel, transportation, emergency equipment, or temporary grants.
Finding Local Resources
Many grants are awarded locally rather than nationally. Some of the best opportunities are never found through a Google search — they're discovered through conversations. Ask:
Before You Give Up
Many families never apply for assistance because they assume they won't qualify. Some think their income is too high. Some worry another family needs the help more. Some expect to be told "no."
We wish someone had encouraged us to ask anyway.
Every organization has different eligibility requirements. Some focus on diagnosis. Some support one specific piece of equipment. Some fund experiences. Some help with travel. Others respond to temporary hardships.
You don't have to qualify everywhere. You only have to find the organization that says yes.
Helpful Tips
What We Wish
Someone Had Told Us
Honest advice and lessons learned from Duchenne families who've been there.
One of the bravest things many families do is ask. The first email is the hardest. The first form is the hardest. After that, it gets easier — and so does the answer "yes."
Related Resources
Every section here exists to help one more family say "yes" to childhood.