204 Executive Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-227-7098
Mission Statement: MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education.
Overview: MDA is a national organization with offices in all areas of the country, including Arkansas. The Arkansas Muscular Dystrophy Association provides services for over 800 people living in Arkansas who suffer from one of the numerous neuromuscular dystrophy diseases.
MDA maintains a network of 200 specialized clinics across the United States and in Puerto Rico. Most MDA clinics are located in teaching hospitals, and many MDA clinic directors are university medical school professors as well as practicing physicians. MDA clinics are at the forefront of research and treatment methods; some clinics also serve as sites for clinical trials of the latest experimental therapies. Information about these clinics is accessible on MDA’s website, which can be searched by location.
MDA’s website also allows individuals to conduct their own research via a comprehensive database of information specific to 91 muscle diseases. MDA provides an overview of the diagnosis process, including information about various types of tests and information regarding the latest clinical trials for each disease. Additionally, MDA provides support groups for caregivers.
MDA also hosts a summer camp for children ages six to seventeen with all types of muscle diseases. There is no fee to attend camp, and all camp costs are covered by MDA. MDA camp offers a fun and safe outdoor experience, along with opportunities to engage in a variety of activities such as swimming; adaptive sports including hockey, baseball, soccer, and football; boating; horseback riding; fishing; music; arts and crafts; dances; talent shows; Harley-Davidson motorcycle sidecar rides; and visits from fire fighters. MDA camp enables campers to stretch their comfort zones and grow in independence as they spend a week away from home; permit someone other than their parents to provide personal care; and make new friends. MDA staff and volunteers assume all camper care, including physical and emotional support, allowing parents time to attend to their own needs. Volunteer counselors work one-on-one with campers around the clock. On-site personnel also include physicians, nurses, and respiratory or physical therapists.
The Arkansas camp is provided in collaboration with Camp Aldersgate.
Age Groups Served: ALL ages
Diagnoses Served: Muscular dystrophy
Geographic Areas Served: ALL counties in Arkansas. Online resources. Entire country.