Each form allows the option to enroll in the course only, skipping mentor/mentee pairing.
Mentoring Program
New Online Course with Optional Respiratory Peer Mentoring
The Breathe with MD, Inc. Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) respiratory peer mentoring program began in 2021. This year, the program's educational component is being loaded into an online learning platform. "Breathing Muscle Weakness 101" is a self-paced course for those living with a known or strongly suspected Neuromuscular Disease (NMD), i.e. Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Congenital Myopathy, or other conditions under the "MDA USA umbrella of muscle diseases" and their loved ones (i.e. parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, significant other, or partner). It is free and open to those who reside anywhere in the world, but participants will need to be able to read, write, and speak English to participate effectively and benefit the most from the course. Participants will also need access to a computer, notepad, or mobile device. The live Zoom meetings within the course platform will be held during the Eastern USA time zone.
Course Content
Online course participants will learn, among other key topics, what happens to cause respiratory involvement in Neuromuscular Disease, appropriate management and intervention options for breathing and coughing weakness, and what may help to avert pulmonary decline. They will gain the knowledge and confidence to engage in medical self-advocacy (speak up) in scenarios where clinicians who are inexperienced in NMD may prescribe dangerous or unhelpful interventions. Recorded and live presentations, videos, supplemental reading, and social engagement in a private course channel will allow participants to interact with classmates, ask questions, and reflect on course content.
Mentoring Process
Our mentoring program still exists and is part of the course and optional. Depending on who enrolls in the program, course participants will have the option to participate in a respiratory peer mentor/mentee pairing, for which those who serve in a mentor role will need to pass a course quiz to ensure they can be a successful respiratory peer mentor. A live Zoom meeting on mentor/mentee pairing will be held toward the end of the course to serve as an introduction to the process which is focused on creating goals related to respiratory health. Those who wish to be mentoring program participants will sign an agreement to follow the program's guidelines for the duration of the mentor/mentee relationship. Paired mentors and mentees will communicate with each other in a variety of chosen methods. Being in a mentor/mentee relationship is voluntary, and participants can choose to stop their participation at any time.
When does the course start?
We expect a late April/early May course start date with an early fall optional mentor/mentee pairing that follows the course completion. We will update this page, our email list subscribers, and Breathe with MD Support Group members as soon as a "go live" date is known. But don't delay enrolling; a limited number can participate. Questions? Contact us.
Enroll with Mentor Option (Affected Individual or Loved One)
Enroll with Mentee Option (Affected Individual or Loved One)
New Online Course with Optional Respiratory Peer Mentoring
The Breathe with MD, Inc. Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) respiratory peer mentoring program began in 2021. This year, the program's educational component is being loaded into an online learning platform. "Breathing Muscle Weakness 101" is a self-paced course for those living with a known or strongly suspected Neuromuscular Disease (NMD), i.e. Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Congenital Myopathy, or other conditions under the "MDA USA umbrella of muscle diseases" and their loved ones (i.e. parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, significant other, or partner). It is free and open to those who reside anywhere in the world, but participants will need to be able to read, write, and speak English to participate effectively and benefit the most from the course. Participants will also need access to a computer, notepad, or mobile device. The live Zoom meetings within the course platform will be held during the Eastern USA time zone.
Course Content
Online course participants will learn, among other key topics, what happens to cause respiratory involvement in Neuromuscular Disease, appropriate management and intervention options for breathing and coughing weakness, and what may help to avert pulmonary decline. They will gain the knowledge and confidence to engage in medical self-advocacy (speak up) in scenarios where clinicians who are inexperienced in NMD may prescribe dangerous or unhelpful interventions. Recorded and live presentations, videos, supplemental reading, and social engagement in a private course channel will allow participants to interact with classmates, ask questions, and reflect on course content.
Mentoring Process
Our mentoring program still exists and is part of the course and optional. Depending on who enrolls in the program, course participants will have the option to participate in a respiratory peer mentor/mentee pairing, for which those who serve in a mentor role will need to pass a course quiz to ensure they can be a successful respiratory peer mentor. A live Zoom meeting on mentor/mentee pairing will be held toward the end of the course to serve as an introduction to the process which is focused on creating goals related to respiratory health. Those who wish to be mentoring program participants will sign an agreement to follow the program's guidelines for the duration of the mentor/mentee relationship. Paired mentors and mentees will communicate with each other in a variety of chosen methods. Being in a mentor/mentee relationship is voluntary, and participants can choose to stop their participation at any time.
When does the course start?
We expect a late April/early May course start date with an early fall optional mentor/mentee pairing that follows the course completion. We will update this page, our email list subscribers, and Breathe with MD Support Group members as soon as a "go live" date is known. But don't delay enrolling; a limited number can participate. Questions? Contact us.
Enroll with Mentor Option (Affected Individual or Loved One)
Enroll with Mentee Option (Affected Individual or Loved One)
Our organization further supports our mission through the following.
Outreach
Education
Support
Supplies Distribution
Pulse Oximeters
Outreach
Education
Support
Supplies Distribution
Pulse Oximeters