The 2011 Fly Out, which began August 8, focused on our emerging population of young adults living with pediatric neuromuscular diseases. Now in the third year of this important initiative, 2011 Fly Out meetings with congressional members during the August recess included discussions about the obstacles encountered by transitioning young people and the resources they need when planning for the future.

Through Fly Out visits nationwide, individuals had the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences regarding education, employment, community, mobility, health care access, living independently and more.

Back row, from left: Dick Bennett (Kunkel Lab), Rep. Ed Markey; Eric Miller (Joseph’s father); Kate Tighe (MDA ED); Dr. Charlie Emerson (BBRI). Front: Joseph Miller (MDA State Goodwill Ambassador)

2011 MDA Fly Out meetings provided the opportunity to highlight the existing resources and barriers that exist for young adults with neuromuscular disease, initiating a dialogue that will extend into policy discussions throughout the coming year.

Following the Fly Out, MDA hosted a Neuromuscular Transitions Summit in Washington, D.C., where young adult members of our community had the opportunity to share their successes and obstacles, as well as meet with officials from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Education, and several other public and private agencies that focus on disability issues to discuss ways in which to improve upon existing resources.

Please ensure that your voice is included in those being heard by participating in MDA’s National Transitions Survey. Although the August congressional recess is over, Fly Out visits will continue through the year. You can be a part of this initiative and make a tremendous impact ... Take 5! and write your representatives today!

This Year's Fly Out Meetings ... We could not have done it without you! California: Rep. Wally Herger, 2nd District Colorado: Rep. Cory Gardner, 4th District Georgia: Rep. Tom Price, 6th District Illinois: Sen. Mark Kirk Iowa: Sen. Tom Harkin Massachusetts: Sen. Scott Brown & Rep. Edward Markey, 7th District Michigan: Rep. Dave Camp, 4th District Minnesota: Sen. Al Franken, Sen Amy Klobuchar & Rep. Erik Paulsen, 3rd District Ohio: Rep. Steve Stivers, 15th District Pennsylvania: Sen. Bob Casey & Rep. Chaka Fattah, 2nd District Tennessee: Sen. Lamar Alexander Texas: Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, 20th District & Rep. Pete Olson, 22nd District Washington: Rep. Dave Reichert, 8th District West Virginia: Sen. John Rockefeller IV

"The community of resources MDA provides helped me to transition from high school to college to law school to the workplace.” — Jessica Ramquist, age 30, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (Rep. Reichert visit)

Fly Out Success!

"It was a pleasure to sit down and meet with local leaders of MDA in Sugar Land. Receiving firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges facing young adults with muscular dystrophy enables me to serve this community better as a member of Congress. It was wonderful to meet a young man who embodies the strength and tenacity of those overcoming the challenges of muscular dystrophy." - Rep. Pete Olson

Check out the Fly Out 2010 page