Muscular Dystrophy Canada Chapters Delivering Services to their Communities
Spotlight on our London Chapter
We consider our Chapters the welcoming front door of our organization. Chapters are made up of committed volunteers with neuromuscular disorders, along with their families, friends and other compassionate folks. They meet regularly to support each other, educate themselves and the community, and raise funds to support our mission. They also manage to have plenty of fun while they’re doing it!
Chapters help ensure people have access to the important services they need.
While all of the Chapters have built fine reputations, our team in London, Ontario has been a real standout lately. They were recently awarded the 2008 National Chapter of the Year as a result of their work in reaching out to affected families in their region. Whether it’s through holding an education seminar or by setting up much-needed support groups, the London Chapter is on a roll. Their membership has grown from 27 people in 2004 to 45 today! They’ve also added bright new energy to their Executive board, which now comprises 30% of their entire association.
Chapter President Judy Germond has been a great visionary and leader for the crew in London. Judy got involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada twelve years ago, after her grandson was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She’s been President for the past ten years and has made it her very own mission to create a feeling of warmth and comfort to anyone who steps through the door. “First, I meet with each new client and their family and then I answer any questions they have, or try to address their concerns in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them. I think a personal touch keeps up the positive energy around here,” says Judy. Judy believes education is a critical aspect of outreach, and it’s another area where London really shines.
The local Speaker’s Bureau hosts monthly talks and seminars on everything from where to get medical supplies, to media and film portrayals of people with disabilities. “We bring in guests who can share their knowledge or opinion on a variety of topics. Some months we focus on a particular neuromuscular disorder. Other times we discuss social issues. It’s a simple way for our clients to become better informed, but also to see themselves in a different light. Sometimes it’s good for people to forget about their disability for awhile, too,” says Bob Loveless, the executive in charge of the speaker’s program. Bob speaks from experience because he lives with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), but clearly he doesn’t let that stop him from doing what matters most to him. “I’d say it’s all about communication!”
The London Chapter is proud of its thriving support groups, too. Marg Bacon who is affected by Guillain Barré Syndrome has been involved with the Chapter for more than 14 years. “I like the friendships and professional connections I build here,” says Marg who’s also a social worker.
According to Herman Bergman who also has IBM, the relationships made through the London Chapter have changed his life for the better. “I joined this Chapter because I wanted more insight on my own situation. I used to think I was the only one who had problems, but that’s just not true. Socializing with people who understand me is great for my mental health, too.”
As Chapter President Judy Germond sums up “It’s all about the WE.”
