Duchenne Connections

Duchenne Connections
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The podcast where lived experience meets real conversation. Join Michelle Pomeroy and Donna Anderton as they explore the Duchenne journey through honest stories and shared experiences that connect our community.

Episodes

  1. Aug 7

    Managing Grief & Having Conversations About Duchenne | Duchenne Connections Episode 8 

    🎙️Managing Grief & Having Conversations About Duchenne | Duchenne Connections Episode 8  Content Note: This episode includes conversations about end-of-life & death as part of the lived experience of Duchenne. We encourage listeners to consider whether now is the right time to engage with these topics.  As Duchenne parents, it can be difficult to balance what is known about the future with what our children need to know in the present. Alongside this is the reality of navigating anticipatory grief while trying to make the most of the younger years.  In Episode 8 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna reflect on how they approached conversations about Duchenne with their own children in these years. Join them as they explore the importance of being honest in supporting children to understand their own journey, and the how they came to a realisation that the fear of these conversations often sits more with grieving parents than with the children themselves.  It is through this conversation they unpack the realities of anticipatory grief, the importance of looking after yourself as a parent, and why embracing the present can help families find quality of life alongside the challenges of Duchenne.   Check out the book mentioned in this week's episode - That's What Wings Are For by Patrick Guest: https://www.dymocks.com.au/thats-what-wings-are-for-by-patrick-guest-and-daniella-germain-9781760501471  This episode marks the end of Season 1 of Duchenne Connections. Thank you for joining us throughout these first eight episodes. While we take a short break, stay tuned for bonus content, highlights from Season 1, and updates as we prepare for Season 2. We can't wait to continue the conversation with you 💜  Hosted by:  Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton  Produced & Edited by:  Thomas Shaw  Music Attribution:  5JMIXB9CSDV4LHTS  VBTGZQXPUL7Z20LD  💜🩵

  2. Jul 31

    Research, Trials & Quality of Life in Duchenne | Duchenne Connections Episode 7

    🎤Research, Trials & Quality of Life in Duchenne | Duchenne Connections Episode 7  Research continues to shape the future of Duchenne bringing hope to families around the world. But alongside that hope comes many feelings of uncertainty and challenges in balancing tomorrow with today.  In episode 7 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna reflect on their own experiences navigating clinical trials and their understanding what this meant for their families. They discuss the realities of participating in trials and the emotional ups and downs that can come with this, as well as how they now look back and see research & hope for a "fix" as just one small part of their journey and not the only focus.  Join the conversation as they reflect on how they now prioritise quality of life at the centre of each of their lives. From this they consider that, while hope for future advances is important, so too is creating meaningful experiences that bring quality of life for the whole family, regardless of where someone is in their Duchenne Journey.  For more information about clinical trials and research in Australia, visit the Australian Neuromuscular Disease Registry at www.australiannmdregistry.org.au  Hosted by:  Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton  Produced & Edited by:  Thomas Shaw  Music Attribution:  7YI4YZCQLMTSSG30  2I1SAMBVJKW2RVTT  💜🩵   #duchenne #DMD #duchennemusculardystrophy #DisabilityPodcast #duchenneawareness #disabilityawareness #MuscularDystrophyAwareness

  3. Jul 24

    Genetics & Carriers | Duchenne Connections Episode 6

    🎙️Genetics & Carriers | Duchenne Connections Episode 6 Genetics can answer some questions, but it can also bring new ones.  In episode 6 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna explore what it means to be a carrier of Duchenne. Join them in reflecting on the different paths families take after a Duchenne diagnosis as their share their own experiences of genetic testing & the emotions that came with it, including how they had to through the feelings of guilt, responsibility and grief that can come with carrying the Duchenne gene.   They discuss what a manifesting carrier is, the importance of all Duchenne parents looking after their own health, and the reality that no two families are the same when it comes to future pregnancies or family planning. The conversation also explores the wider impact on families, including siblings and their own journeys in finding identity and daughters navigating the possibility of being carriers themselves.  Throughout the episode, Michelle and Donna return to the well-known Welcome to Holland metaphor, taken from a poem they first shared in the early episodes about adjusting to a new life when you face an unexpected journey. Join the conversation as they reflect on how every family's story is different, and when talking genetics in Duchenne, there are no right or wrong decisions, only choices that feel right for each family.  Hosted by:  Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton  Produced & Edited by:  Thomas Shaw  Music Attribution: F7OTKZLBZT2NM86M EDACYBEZVWX6USAH  💜🩵  #duchenne #DMD #duchennemusculardystrophy #DisabilityPodcast #duchenneawareness #disabilityawareness #MuscularDystrophyAwareness

  4. Jul 17

    Socialisation & Making the Most of the Younger Years | Duchenne Connections Episode 5

    🎙️ Socialisation & Making the Most of the Younger Years | Duchenne Connections Episode 5  In Episode 5 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna reflect on the importance of creating opportunities for children with Duchenne to socialise & explore their interests as they make the most of the younger years.  Together, they discuss hey they navigated friendships, holidays and activities with others, all while managing the challenges that can come with balancing behaviours, equipment needs, changing abilities and more. They also share how they learnt to adapt rather than stop, using their children's interests to create meaningful opportunities even when things felt hard, and the benefit of embracing the support available through charities and the wider Duchenne community.  Join the conversation as they reflect on the importance of not letting fear get in the way of new experiences when making the most of each stage of the journey.  Hosted by:  Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton  Produced & Edited by:  Thomas Shaw  Music Attribution:  YB5KG2MEC13WNW8D  U1N9LH98T8OHID8W  💜🩵  #duchenne #DMD #duchennemusculardystrophy #DisabilityPodcast #duchenneawareness #disabilityawareness #MuscularDystrophyAwareness

  5. Jul 10

    Connections in the Early Years: Understanding Duchenne Together | Duchenne Connections Episode 4

    🎙️ Connections in the Early Years: Understanding Duchenne Together | Duchenne Connections Episode 4 In Episode 4 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna reflect on attending conferences after a diagnosis and the story of how they met. Together, they discuss these early experiences from meeting other families to forming meaningful connections with both the community and healthcare professionals. They consider balancing the positives of these experiences with the confronting nature of diving in head first straight after a diagnosis. They also explore how they now look back and understand Duchenne beyond its physical impacts, including behaviour, communication and cognitive fatigue. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on balancing the need to prepare for the future while still embracing the present, and how this helps in set you off on the right path in those early years with strong connections around you. Hosted by: Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton Produced & Edited by: Thomas Shaw Music Attribution: QSPBSBUVW3XWQCWY IKLIITIPKICUVTBF 💜🩵 #duchenne #DMD #duchennemusculardystrophy #DisabilityPodcast #duchenneawareness #disabilityawareness #MuscularDystrophyAwareness

  6. Jul 3

    Life After Diagnosis: Family, Work & the Reality of the Early Years | Duchenne Connections Episode 3

    🎙️ Life After Diagnosis: Family, Work & the Reality of the Early Years | Duchenne Connections Episode 3 In Episode 3 of Duchenne Connections, Michelle and Donna reflect on the years immediately following a Duchenne diagnosis, exploring how family life changed as they adjusted to a new reality. Together, they discuss balancing work and caring responsibilities, the impact of diagnosis on the whole family, changing priorities, building support networks, and the importance of accepting help when it was needed. Through their lived experiences, they share an honest conversation about navigating the early years and finding their feet after diagnosis. Hosted by: Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton Produced & Edited by: Thomas Shaw Music Attribution: EMH2KAOHUPMVH0Z9 ATQJUPKN7CATBP6Z 💜🩵 #duchenne #DMD #duchennemusculardystrophy #DisabilityPodcast #duchenneawareness #disabilityawareness #MuscularDystrophyAwareness

  7. Jun 26

    Starting the Journey: Donna's Story from Birth to Diagnosis | Duchenne Connections Episode 2

    🎙️ Starting the Journey: Donna's Story from Birth to Diagnosis | Duchenne Connections Episode 2 In the second episode of Duchenne Connections, Donna shares the story of her son's journey from birth through to receiving a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together, Donna and Michelle discuss the early signs that something may have been different, the medical professionals involved along the way, the process of seeking answers and the impact this period had on their family. They also explore the broader impact of a Duchenne diagnosis on the whole family and how this shaped her journey moving forward. Hosted by: Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton Produced & Edited by: Thomas Shaw Music Attribution: 3T5I1J2WEI9AX9Q8 SRVDAA1P94BL8D3C 💜🩵 #Duchenne #DMD #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #DuchenneConnections #DisabilityPodcast

  8. Jun 19

    Starting the Journey: Michelle's Story from Birth to Diagnosis | Duchenne Connections Episode 1

    🎙️ Episode #1 | Starting the Journey: Michelle's Story From Birth to Diagnosis In the first episode of Duchenne Connections, Michelle shares the story of her son Jack's journey from birth through to receiving a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together, Michelle and Donna discuss the early signs that something may have been different, the medical professionals involved along the way, the process of seeking answers, and the impact this period had on their family. They also reflect on the importance of the connections formed during this time, many of which continue to be an important part of their lives today. 📖 Lightbulb Moment Resource In this episode, Michelle's Lightbulb Moment references the poem Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley: https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland Hosted by: Michelle Pomeroy & Donna Anderton Produced & Edited by: Thomas Shaw Music Attribution: KWDIUCGEMVL0VBNI XJGNPCGRRL3OJYFQ 💜🩵 #Duchenne #DMD #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #DuchenneConnections #DisabilityPodcast

  9. May 21

    Meet the Hosts #2 | Michelle Pomeroy | Duchenne Connections

    🎙️ Meet Michelle from Duchenne Connections! In this short trailer, you’ll meet 2/2 of our hosts, Michelle Pomeroy. Join her as she shares a little about herself and her background, as well as what she’s looking forward to sharing as the podcast grows 💜🩵 Stay tuned for news about our official launch date and more information on what’s to come! #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #Duchenne #DMD #DisabilityPodcast #NDIS

  10. May 15

    Meet the Hosts #1 | Donna Anderton | Duchenne Connections

    🎙️ Meet Donna from Duchenne Connections! In this short trailer, you’ll meet 1/2 of our hosts, Donna Anderton. Join her as she shares a little about herself and her background, as well as what she’s looking forward to sharing as the podcast grows 💜🩵 Stay tuned for our next trailer coming soon, where you’ll meet our second host, Michelle Pomeroy. #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #Duchenne #DMD #DisabilityPodcast #NDIS

  • 10 Episodes

About

The podcast where lived experience meets real conversation. Join Michelle Pomeroy and Donna Anderton as they explore the Duchenne journey through honest stories and shared experiences that connect our community.

Information

  • Creator
    Duchenne Connections
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Duchenne Connections
  • Show Website
    Duchenne Connections