About Us

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Since 1958, the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation has provided financial assistance, quality programs, and other services for people across the state of Indiana facing the challenge of living with a neuromuscular disease.

Our Mission

MDFF’s goal is to increase the quality of life for members of our community through advocacy, education, and by providing life-changing resources that support greater mobility and independence.

What Is Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy causes a person’s muscles that control movement to degenerate. Genetic mutations interfere with the production of muscle proteins necessary to build and maintain healthy muscles.

This rare, complicated disease impacts around 50,000 Americans and 1,500 Hoosiers. It can appear as early as infancy or as late as middle-age—or even later. Each type differs in the muscles affected, age of onset, and rate of progression. 

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but medications and therapies can help people manage their symptoms and slow the course of the disease. Many people with muscular dystrophy lose the ability to walk and end up homebound.

Some may have trouble breathing or swallowing. Others are born healthy and are athletic in their youth then diagnosed later in life. They go from leading active lives to being fully-dependent on assistive devices and caregivers, making the emotional challenges just as difficult as the physical changes to which they have to adapt.

Regaining Hope After A Diagnosis

When a family reaches out to the MDFF for help, we’re often their last hope. 

Insurance companies, Medicaid, Medicare, and other agencies continue to make drastic cuts to funding for adaptive equipment and services needed just to experience a higher quality of life, more independence, and opportunities to build meaningful connections. 

MDFF provides essential items like wheelchairs, hospital beds, van lifts, ramps for homes, bathroom modifications, and shower chairs. Learn more about how MDFF creates possibilities for our families.

Changing Lives Is a Team Effort

We have done a lot of good, but we’re only getting started.

Thanks to generous support from donors, grant writers, partners, medical professionals, staff, and volunteers, our MDFF family continues to help individuals with neuromuscular diseases get what they need to experience a higher quality of life, live more independently, and build meaningful connections.

Be a part of our growth and help us create a better future for individuals with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.

“When my son’s mobility van was stolen, MDFF was one of the first organizations to reach out to see how they could help. Explaining how my son could not go to school or doctor’s appointments because we now had no way to transport his power wheelchair, MDFF stepped in and purchased a new manual wheelchair. The help and honest care for my son was much needed and appreciated during a difficult time.” 

The Parson Family
Patrick, Father of Tyler, Friedreich's Ataxia Patient
MDFF Wheelchair Recipient

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