This is a typical initial reaction of a parent who has just been told that their son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is possible, in time to move beyond this emotional state to one of coping in a very positive manner with everyday living. A copy of the booklet can be obtained from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A summary of the most helpful points is presented here. Firstly, people react to this diagnosis differently.
All individuals are unique.
Each has his or her own strengths, resources, networks and ways of coping. Some may take weeks or months to adjust to the diagnosis, hoping that the terrible prognosis will go away. Others understandably react with shock, anger and sadness. They may be angry with the doctor who gave them the diagnosis, angry with their general practitioner for not making the diagnosis earlier, angry with their spouse or with themselves or angry with God. It may take some time before a family develops its own way of living with a family member who has muscular dystrophy and is able to deal with the issues this brings.