Hello all,

Before I introduce myself to the group, I would like to thank Mark for inviting me to join. 

My name is Chris and I am 40 years old.  I have DMD and I have been ventilator dependent since January of 1990.  I went into a wheelchair at the age of 7 and had a spinal fusion when I was 12. 

I have resided in a rehab hospital since August 14, 1990.  I have pursued independent living off and for the past 18 years, but have had no luck thus.  A lot of it has to do with fear and the rest is because the so-called independent living centers seem to forget that I exist and stop contacting me altogether.  However, I cannot really place all of the blame on them.  I have never really followed up on things.

I am not sure what else to say about myself, so I will bring this message to an end.  I look forward to participating in this group.

Yes, Mark, I know that I said the same thing about your other group, but never really participated.  I going to change that because I realize that I will never get anywhere in life if I sit around, waiting for change to come to me.

Peace,

Chris