Myotonic Dystrophy: Family Stories

A Physician's Family Confronts DM

Published on Mon, 04/06/2015

Belen Esparis uses her medical expertise to help her daughter Emily navigate life with DM. "I just want her to keep trying," she says. The Esparis-Kugler family has raised more than $35,000 for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundatio and DM research since they learned about the disease.

Adapting to Life's Challenges

Published on Tue, 03/10/2015

An active Myotonic advocate, fundraiser and community member, Teresa Schmertman shares her approach to life and living with DM. "It's about a passion for the cure," she says, "second only to my passion for my family."

The Pontifex Family: Strength Through Community

Published on Wed, 10/08/2014

Three years ago, Sarah and Sam Pontifex of Adelaide, Australia, had never heard of myotonic dystrophy, but their three children were experiencing shared symptoms that they knew could not be the result of mere coincidence.

The Lundys: Providing Support for Those with DM

Published on Thu, 08/28/2014

With his wife Kelly at his side, Christian Lundy of Ottawa, Canada endured weeks of hospitalization and intubation. Doctors became worried when Christian didn’t improve as quickly as expected and began to take a closer look at the possible reasons for his slow recovery.

A Father’s Story in Honor of Father’s Day

Published on Thu, 08/28/2014

As corny as it sounds, my wife Lauren and I met ten years ago at my best friend's wedding. We had a hard time starting a family, so when we learned of Lauren’s pregnancy in 2010 we were thrilled! When our daughter was born we had no idea that DM affected anyone in our family.

Laura Gershenson: Giving Back to the DM Community

Published on Tue, 08/26/2014

Laura Gershenson is a high school science teacher, wife, and mother of two small children living in Dallas, Texas. She was diagnosed with DM in 2011 and found her way to Myotonic shortly afterwards.