Please note that our 2024 mentoring program is in progress with enrollment closed for 2024. You may still enroll in our online course, "Breathing Muscle Weakness 101," on this form: https://forms.gle/tq2PMKaeSg2cEu3k8
Mentoring Program
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 online 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 internet access and 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 with the best user experience being on a computer or notepad. Optional live Zoom meetings within the course platform will be held during the Eastern USA time zone in June, July, and August, 2024.
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?
The course opened on May 10, 2024, with optional respiratory peer mentor/mentee pairing beginning on September 7. The online course will be open through November 2, 2024.
You may still enroll to take the course only, skipping the respiratory peer mentoring component. Enroll here: https://forms.gle/tq2PMKaeSg2cEu3k8
Questions? Contact us.
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 online 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 internet access and 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 with the best user experience being on a computer or notepad. Optional live Zoom meetings within the course platform will be held during the Eastern USA time zone in June, July, and August, 2024.
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?
The course opened on May 10, 2024, with optional respiratory peer mentor/mentee pairing beginning on September 7. The online course will be open through November 2, 2024.
You may still enroll to take the course only, skipping the respiratory peer mentoring component. Enroll here: https://forms.gle/tq2PMKaeSg2cEu3k8
Questions? Contact us.
Our organization further supports our mission through the following.
Outreach
Education
Support
Supplies Distribution
Pulse Oximeters
Outreach
Education
Support
Supplies Distribution
Pulse Oximeters