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    • Nerds just like me

    #Duchenne, #mdnsw, #camp, #fun,

    My name is Megan, I am 18 years old and will be 19 in November. I was diagnosed in 2006 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. My brother also had DMD but passed away the year before I was born. I have an older sister who is married with three children and is a RN at Wyong Hospital. I have one niece Matilda who will be 14 in August, two nephews Thomas 12 and William 10.

    I live at home with my Mum and Dad and we just got a new puppy, her name is Panda, a border-doodle that we are hoping to train as an assistance dog. I have been going to the MDNSW camps since I was about 9 years old and can’t wait for there to be camps for people my age to go to! I have had a lot of difficulties through my school years, but did enjoy doing years 11 and 12 at home. Sadly, we missed our year 12 formal because of Covid, but thank goodness I am finished with school and all its difficulties.

    I have just started at TAFE in Newcastle and everyone is so helpful. I am doing my Cert 3 in Graphic Design and I am enjoying it so much. One day I would like to become a game designer or cartoonist, after I get my diploma. My dream job would be to work for Disney. I have played a few games of boccia with MDNSW and would one day love to join a competitive boccia team and play for Australia in the Paralympics. I am hoping to get my driver’s license one day when I get time to study.

    I have joined a group called the Sons of Obiwan Saber Academy! I bought a light saber and was very lucky to find a pink one! I was asked to do a demonstration at the Sydney Supernova with the others from the Academy. The Obiwan Saber Academy is a fun way to exercise while having fun.

    Megan with Batman at Supernova

    Megan Lightsabering

    Megan’s collection

    I love concerts, stage shows, movies, drawing, the footy – the mighty RABBITOHS, and of course Supernova. I have 4 glass cabinets full of DC, Marvel, Star Wars and Harry Potter memorabilia. My favourite character is Batman because he is human, has some cool bad guys, and proves you don’t need superpowers to be a superhero. I would like to be Spiderman for a day so I could swing and climb around New York. I started going to the Supernova at Olympic Park in Sydney since 2018, and I went again in June this year.

    The first time I went to the Supanova I could not believe how many people were nerds just like me! There are so many of us and most in some amazing costumes. I entered a self-made costume competition this year and won a prize, so I was thrilled that all my hard work paid off. Next year I will be doing something even better than this year. There were thousands of people in all kinds of costumes from Spiderman to Chewbacca, Stormtroopers, Anime, BB8, Alien and so much more. The best thing about Supanova is everyone has something in common, everyone is different and all out to be happy and have fun. People in wheelchairs don’t stand out in the crowd as being different – it is one of the friendliest events there is, and everyone has one goal, to have a great time!

    I believe there is no obstacle too great, no-one can stand in your way if you really believe in yourself there is no stopping you – MD PEOPLE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING WE WANT TO!

    Submitted by Megan Howe.