The Muscular Dystrophy Association: my POWERFUL STORY

On December 28, 1951, the American Comedian-Duo Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis concluded their popular NBC network television show with a special appeal to support muscular dystrophy research. Why? To promote awareness for people and families whose lives had been turned upside down by these diseases. 

 

Paul Cohen, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and founder of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, knew that creating awareness was an important step to support the cause of his newly founded Non-Profit Organization.

 

With this, he and several others laid the foundation for an Organization that for more than 70 years now aims to transform the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy by funding research, supporting families, and providing care and medical services.

 

Why do we tell you this? Because this is the beginning of a story. The story of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And stories have power: They grab hearts and minds, transport feelings and experiences, help to understand and to connect.

 

The platform “my POWERFUL STORY” is all about the power of stories. By launching this platform, the Muscular Dystrophy Association wants to give people and families affected by neuromuscular diseases a channel to share their story. A channel to tell the story of their community.

 

My POWERFUL STORY

“As one more way to advance our mission, we are activating the power of story to create connection, inspire self-advocacy, and build understanding for what it’s like to live with neuromuscular disease.”

Emerged from a cooperation with Collaboration.AItheDifference and innosabi, the platform will collect stories about living with neuromuscular disease and support those who are affected. Over the next several weeks everyone affected by these diseases can submit their very own story, focusing on one of the four story categories:

 

  • My Advocacy Story: Stories about moments when standing up for oneself or others.
  • My Meaningful Story: Stories about an impactful moment, an event or realization.
  • My Diagnosis Story: Stories about what it was like receiving a neuromuscular disease diagnosis.
  • My Summer Camp Story: Stories about the MDA summer camp and the magic of being part of it.

 

From all of these amazing stories, some of them will then be selected to be brought to life by artists. These stories will help to draw attention, to build understanding and support the overall mission of the Muscular Dystrophy Association by fostering future initiatives and upcoming campaigns. 

 

As software provider and tech partner in this collaboration, we are very proud to be part of such a great and inspiring initiative.