Since 1984, Muscular Dystrophy Australia (MDA) has been the peak national charity supporting people with neuromuscular disease, their carers and their families.

The children and adults we support experience life-limiting disabilities, such as paralysis and breathing difficulties, due to degeneration of muscles attached to the skeleton.

Our mission is to provide them with practical support and hope, including:

- Practical health advice and resources they can use every day to improve their quality of life;

- Life skills and peer support programs to support their mental health and independence, and ensure success in education, employment, and community life.

- Advocacy support, to break down barriers to life opportunities, and ensure their needs are met in community environments such as school, university, and the workplace.

- Support for groundbreaking research with partners such as Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and raising community awareness about new treatments and therapies.

- We are also the first charity in Australia to develop a specialist Neuromuscular Nursing Service, in partnership with Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne).

There are more than 40,000 Australians with neuromuscular disease, including an estimated 1,000 school-aged children in Victoria alone. Tragically, less than 9% of them attend higher education, and this can lead to life-long poor physical and emotional health, and socio-economic disadvantage.

The reason for this is that critical gaps exist in the support services available to them. The healthcare system focuses on medical needs, and many other charities prioritise NDIS coordination and recreational activities for clients.

As such, MDA plays a unique role in the community, with our focus on evidence-based practical support which cannot be found elsewhere. Our programs empower clients to seize opportunities, meet their goals, and lead fulfilling lives, despite the challenges they face.