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16 | InTouch WINTER 2026 Further Resources www.mdausa.org – the Muscular Dystrophy Association USA website has an extensive site with plenty of further information on any muscular dystrophy conditions as well as research news. www.muscular-dys trophy.org – the UK muscular dystrophy site. It contains good general information on the condition. NZ also has an excellent we bsite dedicated to helping and informing those families with rare disorders www.nzord .org.nz WHAT IS BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY? Continued from previous page. stop codons”, and there is a gene therapy trial on the horizon as well. Support for people with Becker Muscular Dystrophy Support is available from the MDANZ who can offer specialist assessment, information, support, advocacy and referrals to other providers. There is also a nationwide Support Network for those interested in meeting with others. • Education: In New Zealand, every child has the right of equal access to all aspects of education. This means that all children with a neuromuscular condition have the right to attend a mainstream school. Many schools have special units attached which can provide any extra help needed, including an individualized education plan for appropriate assistance with physical and mental needs. It is important that BMD children are not overprotected or patronized – they should be mentally stimulated and creative skills encouraged. • Employment: Seeking and maintaining paid employment can be challenging for people with Becker, especially as their condition progresses. Despite these challenges many people in New Zealand with neuromuscular conditions carve out a career and work productively and successfully for a number of years. Research has shown that a paid occupation is achievable for others with the correct supports and environmental conditions (flexibility, adaptations, employer recognition, peer support). When choosing a career, if possible choose something that you are passionate about and that meets your physical needs now and into the future as your condition progresses. Consider the workload; repetitive tasks, physicality of the job, or howmuch speaking is required if you struggle with slurred speech. Ask about opportunities for job shadowing to get a sense of daily tasks and expectations. Consider when are you more alert and more fatigued? Is there flexibility to work from home on certain days or to be flexible with work schedules so you can incorporate rests if needed?Will the job accommodate flexibility to meet these needs so you can be more productive in your role? Volunteer work is an opportunity to build up skills and experience. It creates the same feelings of self-worth, sense of identity and purpose as a paid job. The New Zealand government recognises the value people with a disability can bring to a workforce and the under representation of this community in the labour market. They have set up a number of employment related services and supports for people with a disability, including training and apprenticeships. The list of all government-funded or supported services are available on the website Employment New Zealand . DiversityWorks New Zealand (formally the EEO Trust) is the national body for workplace diversity and inclusion. They can be contacted on 0800 348 377 or by visiting their website diversityworksnz.org.nz/ Remember, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against people because of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, religious belief, or disability. Equal rights are demanded by the Human Rights Act, 1993, and the Equal Pay Act, 1972. You can seek information about your rights on Health and Disability Commissioner website or Human Right Commission website. More Information Muscular Dystrophy Association can be contacted for further information, assistance, advice, support and referrals, on 0800 800 337 or by e-mail at info@mda.org.nz . The Muscular Dystrophy Association Website also contains information on services available within NZ, our quarterly magazine, contacts, membership details, news and links to other sites – www.mda.org.nz In New Zealand, every child has the right of equal access to all aspects of education.