Translational research into neuromuscular disease focuses on taking basic research advances and ‘translating’ these results into usable therapies. Researchers are increasingly finding applications for basic research to the diagnosis, progression, and treatment of neuromuscular disease.

Last week, I found something to be grateful for when a copy of The Upside of Down Times by Lisa Ryan arrived unexpectedly in the mail. Eagerly, I devoured this book in less than a day, and renewed my commitment to keeping a gratitude journal, and to showing my gratitude to others.

Both teachers and parents will have many questions about how to best support a child with neuromuscular disease in the classroom. Available free from the MDA website, The Teacher’s Guide to Neuromuscular Disease will help answer these questions for teachers and parents.

According to the Rare Clinical Diseases Research Network (RDCRN) website, the purpose of the RDCRN is to increase collaboration between the research and treatment efforts of the scientists and clinicians working with many different types of rare disease.

For more than 50 years, Jerry Lewis tirelessly served the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the neuromuscular diseases community, raising both funds and awareness. The magnitude of Lewis’ service cannot be denied and will not be forgotten.

When neuromuscular disease began to cause increased difficulty with my feet, my physician recommended Tai Chi as a healthy low-impact form of exercise. I purchased a copy of T’ai Chi beginning practice with David –Dorian Ross to teach me the basic movements of T’ai Chi.

The Functional Fitness DVD series, created by occupational therapist Suzanne Andrews, provides a series of videos aimed at increasing functional fitness for those experiencing health issues. For purposes of this review, her Arthritis and Pain Free Back & Neck DVDs were sampled.

If you do not yet belong to a support group, I strongly urge you to find a support group in your area or online. The relationships that you build will help you to live, cope, and even thrive despite neuromuscular disease.

While neuromuscular disease is not funny, many of the situations that people find themselves in are funny. Seeing the humor in our struggles provides relief from stress and improve physical and emotional health.

Broadly defined, there are two types of problems. There are problem that can be changed, fixed, improved, or made better, and problems that cannot. Spending time focusing on unfixable problems can become a major source of stress.