What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), first identified by French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne in the 1860s, is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene, which disrupts the production of dystrophin—a protein essential for keeping muscle cells intact. This leads to progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. DMD is the most common form of muscular dystrophy, affecting approximately 1 in 5,000 male births, as noted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It primarily affects boys due to its X-linked recessive inheritance pattern, though rare cases can occur in girls. DMD is part of a group of conditions called dystrophinopathies, which also includes Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD, a milder form), an intermediate form between DMD and BMD, and DMD-associated dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition with minimal skeletal muscle involvement.
Muscle weakness, the hallmark symptom of DMD, often begins between ages 2 and 3, initially impacting proximal muscles (closer to the body’s core, like the hips and shoulders) before progressing to distal limb muscles (like the hands and feet). Early signs include difficulty with jumping, running, or walking, often accompanied by a waddling gait, enlarged calves, and lumbar lordosis (an inward spinal curve). As the condition advances, weakness affects the upper body, and complications like scoliosis can impair pulmonary function, potentially leading to respiratory failure. The heart and respiratory muscles are also impacted over time, increasing the risk of cardiomyopathy. While DMD is a progressive condition, advancements in treatments—such as physical therapy, corticosteroids, and gene therapies outlined by the Duchenne Parent Project—can slow progression and improve quality of life, helping children with DMD live into their 20s or 30s with proper care.
Books on Muscular Dystrophy for Parents
| Life Lessons from Duchenne by Karen Weaver Published 2019, a heartfelt guide by a mother, offering practical advice and emotional support for parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophy: A Child and Parents’ Guide by Ruby Robinson |
Interabled by Shane Burcaw Published 2025, shares stories of love and disability, including the author’s journey with muscular dystrophy, inspiring resilience. The Abilities in Me by Gemma Keir |
Resources for parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
| Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) Offers comprehensive support with a “Newly Diagnosed” guide, care resources, and The Duchenne Registry for research participation. Includes tools like developmental milestone charts. Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) KidsHealth by Nemours National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) |
Child Neurology Foundation Provides a disorder directory and family support tools, including visuals on neurological impacts of DMD. Johns Hopkins Medicine HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) |
Our children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
* Listed children often have multiple diagnoses and attention should be given to the specific information in each child’s profile.
Tap or Click On Child’s Name to Learn More
Click on the page numbers above to see all the children
Our International Programs
Africa 1
- Married couples must be married at least 2 years
- Single women may adopt girls, single men may adopt boys
- Parents needs to be over age 25
- Adoption process takes about 12 months after homestudy
- Parents should be prepared to make three trips, staying 6 weeks each trip (in extreme cases). This country typically requires parents to reside in country for 12 months to foster the child, but an exception may be given for medical reasons.
- Any history of mental health issues should be discussed up front with the agency
- Adoptive parents should have no criminal history
- Total cost estimate is approx $36,000-38,000
Africa 2
- This is a brand new program, so it’s uncertain how long the full process will take at this time
- Married couples must be married or co-habitating at least 5 years; one parent must be at least 30 years old
- Single women and single men may adopt; must be at least 30 years of age
- No family size restrictions
- May adopt out of birth order
- Parents should be prepared to make two trips, of 7 days each
- Total cost estimate is approx $35,000-40,000
Bulgaria
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2 trips; Trip 1 about a week, Trip 2 about 12 days
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Approx cost only $30-35,000! (depends on how many people travel, time of year for travel, etc)
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As of 2024, there’s a new upper age limit for parents. For single parents, there can be no more than 50 years between the child and the adoptive parent. For married couples, at least one parent must be within the 50 year or less age range.
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Heterosexual married couples and single women may apply; single men may apply to adopt boys
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Easy dossier, very few restrictions
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Only one parent has to travel
- Multiple unrelated children can be adopted together
CANADIAN FAMILIES WELCOME!
Brazil
- Applicants should be older than 25 years old. Both applicants must be 16 years older than the child.
- Single women and men are allowed to adopt
- A Psychological Evaluation is required
- Families with health and mental issues will be considered on a case by case basis
- Adoptive parents must have clean criminal history records to adopt from Brazil
Colombia
Colombia is now open to heterosexual and same-sex couples. Singles may still apply as well.- No family size restrictions
- Both parents must travel to the country initially — but only one needs to stay for the duration of the trip which is approx 2-3 weeks
- Estimated total cost $25,000-40,000 and this does not include 3rd party fees
Dominican Republic
Eastern Europe 4
Heterosexual married couples, single women, and single men can adopt- Parents have to be at least 25 years old and be between 18-50 years older than the child(ren)
- Country prefers families with Christian background
- Income requirement less rigid when adopting a child with special needs
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No set family size restrictions, but the preference is for smaller families
- Two trips are required; the first trip is 7 days, second trip is 21 days
- Both parents travel for the first trip; only one parent has to travel for the second trip
- Two unrelated children with non-correctable SN can be adopted together
- Approx 9-15 months from referral to second trip
- Total cost estimate is $31,000-53,000 (including travel, homestudy and USCIS)
Eastern Europe 5
- Adoptive Parents should be no more than 45 years older than the child they intend to adopt.
- MORE INFO COMING SOON
Eastern Europe 6
- Heterosexual married couples and single women
- Ages of adoptive parents flexible
- No more than 5 children in the home
- Children available between age 1-13
- Adoption completed 9-10 months after referral acceptance
- One trip (15-21 days)
- Adoptive parents should have no history of adoption disruption or loss of parental rights
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No history of mental health conditions, addiction, or infectious diseases
- Adoptive parents should have no criminal history
- Paperwork would need to be submitted to the country to obtain more information on a child
- Total cost estimate is approx $40,000
Eastern Europe 7
- Adoptive parents must be at least 18 years older than the child
- Adoptive parents should not be more than 50 years of age. Exception can be made if parent is in good health and one spouse is under age 50.
- Heterosexual married couples only (married at least 2 1/2 years)
- Prospective parents should have no history of mental health conditions or infectious diseases
- Agency requires family to be of the Christian faith, LDS is not accepted
- Country prefers the adopted child to be the youngest in the family but it is not a requirement.
- 1, 2, or 3 trips required. Depends on court verdict issued by judge (Many families have been able to do in one trip!)
- First trip is about 8-10 days in country and both parents must travel. One or both parents are required to stay about 10 days after court IF the judge issues an immediate court decision.
- Second trip (if required) is about 10 days in country and only one parent needs to travel
- Total costs estimated around $30,000
CANADIAN FAMILIES WELCOME!
Eastern Europe 9
- Heterosexual married couples and single women
- One parent needs to be over age 25
- No upper age limit for parents
- Adoption process takes 1-2 years
- Three trips required
- No history of mental health conditions, addiction, or infectious diseases
- Adoptive parents should have no criminal history
- Total cost estimate is approx $37,000-40,000
Eastern Europe 10
- Parents must be 25 years or older, and 18 years older than child
- Married parents, must be married 2 years minimum
- Single women allowed to adopt
- Must be a home owner
- No criminal history; no history of drug or alcohol abuse
- No significant medical, psychological or psychiatric conditions
- Adoptions can take 2+ years to complete
- Two trips required; first is 2 week bonding trip & second trip is 4-6 weeks. Both parents travel for court, one may leave after court.
Ecuador
- Parents must be 25 years old and no more than 45 years older than child
- Preference is given to heterosexual married couples. Must be married a minimum of 3 years.
- Heterosexual single women and men accepted, although wait is longer
- Parents must be healthy, both physically and mentally
- Totally clean criminal background
- Total average travel 8 weeks; one parent can return home after 30 days
Haiti
- One parent must be at least 30 years old; not over 50 years old
- Heterosexual married couples and single woman may adopt
- Parents must be married at least 5 years
- The number of children at home does not matter. Any child over 8 years old needs to give consent to the adoption as well.
- Singles may currently adopt if 35 years old
- Past depression is OK, but must explain the circumstances and past and/or current treatment
- If a criminal history/background, must be explained in detail
- Estimated cost from commitment to home is $28-32,000
- Travel is required
- Travel for pick-up is about a week
Hong Kong
- Full medical and social info available
- EASY travel, both parents for one trip (5-7 days)
- Families are encouraged to travel, but escorting is available
- Parents must be at least 25 years old
- Married couples and singles
- Couples married at least 3 years for first marriage
- Mental health/depression history considered case by case
- Relatively low cost – generally estimated around $16,000 to $18,000
India
- Heterosexual married couples, must be married a minimum of 2 years
- Single women allowed to adopt; Single men allowed to adopt boys
- Minimum age to adopt is 25, maximum age to adopt is based on parents combined age
- For special needs adoptions, up to three kids in the home is acceptable; four or five children in the home may be okay if adopting an older child or a child with a more significant special need
- Sibling sets are available for adoption; non-related children may not be adopted at the same time
- Average time frame for adoption is approx 12-18 months
- Both parents may be required to travel
- Travel varies by region; some require travel for court. Travel could be a few days, or 3-4 weeks (longer timeframe can be done in two trips)
- Parents should be medically healthy and financially stable; mental health and physical health histories are considered on a case by case basis
- Criminal history will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Any felonies or crimes against children will disqualify families from eligibility.
- Total costs approx $30-35,000updated Jan 2019
Korea
- From the time of paperwork completion and match until travel is about 12+ months
- Two trips (each about a week) or one longer trip (about 5 weeks) and both parents must travel
- There are some restrictions, so any family that has a medical, mental, arrest or substance dependency should contact the agency
- Heterosexual married couples only; must be married a minimum of three years, no more than one divorce per spouse
- Parents must be between the ages of 25 and 45 at time of application
- No more than 4 children already in the home
Kyrgyzstan
- Heterosexual married couples and single women may adopt
- Sibling groups and multiple unrelated children can be adopted together
- Adoption process approx 8-12 months
- Three trips – both parents need to travel for trip one
- Trip one is 10-15 days
- Trip two – about 6-8 weeks after trip one, for court
- Trip three – about 6-8 weeks after trip two, 7-10 days long
- Total estimated cost is $43,000
Mexico
- Heterosexual married couples or single heterosexuals may adopt (males and females)
- Prospective adoptive parents must be over 25 years of age and at least 17 years older than the child. If married, only one parent must meet the age requirement.
- If married, minimum of two years
- Two to three trips, each about one week long
- No income requirements beyond USCIS requirements
- No particular heath or mental health related requirements
- Multiple children in the form of sibling groups can be adopted together
- The agency seeks Christian adoptive parents
- Total cost approx info coming soon
Peru
- Single women or heterosexual married couples, age 25-55
- Couples must be married 2 1/2 years
- Both parents, one trip of 4 weeks
- After the adoption finalization and new birth certificate, one parent can go home early (about 2.5-3 weeks); one parent remains for final visa exit interview and new passport
- Approx 9-12 months from dossier submission to travel
- No set restriction on family size
- Parents with mild mental health history may be considered on a case by case basis
- Two unrelated children in the same orphanage can be adopted together
- The agency seeks Christian adoptive parents
- Total cost approx $27,000 (additional child, add about $5000)
The Philippines
- Heterosexual married couples and single women may adopt
- Parents must be at least 27 years old; and no more than 45 years older than the child
- Single parents permitted for children over age 9
- Must be married at least 3 years
- Family size considered based on child desired
- One trip, only 7 days!
- Church reference letter required
- Parents should have a BMI of 35 or under
- Other medical or psychological issues can preclude adoption
Poland
Polish adoptions are limited to these 4 categories:
- intra-family intercountry adoption
- intercountry adoption to reunite a child with his/her previously adopted siblings
- intercountry adoption of a child in exceptional life or health situations when local authorities are unable to find domestic placements (Special Needs)
- intercountry adoption by Polish citizens living abroad
- Heterosexual married couples can adopt
- Single women can adopt one child only
- Parents should be no more than 40 years older than child
Adoptions are done on a case by case approval basis- One adoption center only works at this time; only Christian families are permitted to adopt
- No income requirement other than USCIS
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No set family size restrictions, although preference given to families with no other children, or grown children
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Approx 4-5 weeks travel time; one parent may return to US after court
- Total cost estimated approx $40,000+
Portugal
- Parents must be at least 25 years old
- Must have less than a 50-year difference between oldest child and youngest parent
- Married couples, single women and men, or unmarried couples who have been in a committed relationship for at least 4 years
- Couples can adopt regardless of orientation
- 1 trip to country required: 4-6 weeks
- Both parents required to travel
- 18 months – 15 years; Children under the age of 8 will be living with some type of special need
- Sibling groups are waiting
- Children will be of Portuguese or Romani descent
South Africa
- Applications are encouraged from single men and single women, LGBTQ families, heterosexual married and unmarried couples
- Parents under age 48 preferred at the time of dossier submission
- Expected wait time from dossier submission to referral: 18-24 months
- Travel occurs approximately 3-5 months after acceptance of referral
- One trip required of approximately 4 weeks
- Estimated total costs approx $30,000
Taiwan
- Full medical and social info available
- EASY travel – final trip is both parents for approx a week. The judge may request an additional trip prior, for court.
- No more than 3 or 5 children at home (different agencies in country have different requirements)
- Heterosexual married couples, must be married 2 years
- Only one previous divorce allowed per adoptive parent
- Parents should be 25-50 years of age and in good health
- Fees vary greatly, $27-40,000 plus travel (adoption of children with special needs tends to be on the lower end of that estimate)These are basic guidelines set by agencies in Taiwan but some considerations may be made on a case-by-case basis, especially for school-aged children and children with medical/special needs.
Thailand
- Both parents are required to travel and should expect to spend about two weeks
- Heterosexual married couples, must be married 2.5 years; Single applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis for waiting children
- Estimated total: $30-45,000
CONTACT
Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 146
Combined Locks, WI 54113
CLICK HERE to contact us.
Your questions will be directed to the appropriate team member.
PO Box 146
Combined Locks, WI 54113
CLICK HERE to contact us.
Your questions will be directed to the appropriate team member.
