making muscle wasting history

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About donnamitchelson

Movies

I always enjoyed Sense and Sensibility, but I wonder if it was more because my hubby hated it so much that he would make me laugh at his mimicking of it.

Music

Having grown up in Australia, I still have a fondness of Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel, which no-one in the UK will probably have heard of. However, these days the music in the car is never my choice as the kids take over.

Interests

Our whole family are heavily involved in highland dancing. This plays a big part in our lives with our two girls following the steps of their father and grandmother by aspiring to be future world champions.
I also enjoy watching our three children taking part in their other hobbies including horse-riding and swimming.

About Our Family

I am married to Gareth and have three beautiful children Isla (11), Kirstin (9) and Logan (6) and live just outside Dundee.

Gareth and I were overjoyed when Logan was born and completed our happy family. Having had the girls I was concerned that Logan was missing his developmental milestones, crawling late, walking late, unable to jump etc. For two years Logan was seen at Orthotics with the diagnosis of low muscle tone - it was only by chance he was seen at our local hospital by a Consultant who saw something of concern. The next day we were given the devastating news that no parent should ever have to go through, that they suspected Logan had muscular dystrophy. I sat there stunned in silence and couldn't speak, it was only when Gareth touched my shoulder that I broke down. I just couldn't stop shaking. The weeks waiting on the confirmation were awful, we couldn't sleep or eat and at the same time trying to keep everything normal for the children. I don't know how we managed, but despite everyone saying it could be something else, in my heart I knew that it would be DMD.

Sometimes there are moments that are so difficult and you feel you can bear no more pain and every moment of pleasure is also bittersweet as it is always in the back if your mind. I don't think Gareth and I will ever be the people we were before - this has changed our lives in so many ways. We just have to remain positive that a treatment or a cure will be in time for Logan and try to live life to the fullest (it's amazing how this just changes your perspective of life and things that were important before are not now).

Logan is a happy contented wee boy who loves playing with his sisters (well most of the time!). He is in Primary 2 with his cousin and best friend Seann. He knows his limitations, but it doesn't stop him trying to keep up with his sisters and friends - long may this last!

We contacted AD fairly quickly as we were keen to fight to keep us strong and have a focus on doing something positive. We only found out Nov 08 and we have raised thousands of pounds for Action Duchenne from holding various events, selling books and friends participating in racing at the Edinburgh Marathon and Adidas Women's challenge London, dressing down days, as well as donations that people have also kindly sent.

Previous Events [3]

• Assemble and Leap Charity Concert - 13 November 2010

  The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing presents Assemble and Leap: Celebrating 60 years...

• Charity Highland Dancing Festival - 13 March 2010

  On Saturday 13/3/10 we held the first of the Charity Highland Festival in Grangemouth. We were ...

• Guess the Birthday - Giant National Bear - 13 March 2010

  On Saturday 13/3/10 the guess the bear's birthday competition was drawn at the inaugural Charity...

Your Shout [1] - (View All Articles)

• Help with night splints
  02:01PM, 07 November 2009 | 6 comments

  Struggling to get my son to wear night splints.