Dear Cameron,
Thank you for choosing to learn a little about the Mitchell’s Journey Foundation for your school project. I want you to know that you have some pretty amazing parents. They have always been so supportive of Mitchell’s Journey and it has meant a great deal to our family.
If for some reason I didn’t answer a question, please let me know and I’ll try and get you the information you’re looking for. I wish you the best of luck!
1 What is your responsibility taking part in Mitchell’s Journey Foundation?
I am the founder and executive director of the Mitchell’s Journey Foundation. My responsibilities include raising money, working with families who need certain types of assistance, writing stories and producing media that lift and inspire the hearts of people who struggle
2 How is Mitchell’s Journey Foundation run?
The Mitchell’s Journey Foundation is run by volunteers, we have no paid staff. We have a board of directors who meet quarterly (every 3 months) to review budgets and fundraising opportunities as well as discuss projects we’re working on and families we’re trying to help.
3 What is your point of view of being founder?
I suppose my view of things is unique because I see the bigger picture of the program, but I also know a lot about people’s private struggles as people choose to share them with me. I see people from all walks of life who struggle to make sense of suffering, find faith, and make moments matter with the ones they love.
4 How has this organization evolved since starting Mitchell’s Journey?
We have certainly evolved since the beginning. At first, we were just telling stories about Mitchell and his life. Today, we not only continue to tell stories about Mitch, we produce inspirational videos, host activities for local DMD families and help with certain unmet needs, like wheelchair ramps, etc.
You can look at the infographic (see link below) to see the kinds of things we now do. They are ordered from left to right – by area of priority/focus.
https://mitchellsjourney.org/about-mitchells-journey/
5 How do you know you are making an impact?
Almost weekly we get messages from parents (and kids) from all over the world. They share the impact a video or written story has had on their life. Families send photos and stories about something that has changed because of little Mitch and his life.
6 Do you feel like you have changed as a person since starting your Foundation?
Absolutely. I’ve discovered that when you try to serve others, you can’t help but change for the better. My heart has softened in ways I never imagined, I feel like I have deeper empathy for people who hurt, and I want to help more families find much needed relief.
7 Is this foundation connected to any other organizations?
We are not officially connected to other organizations; however, I personally serve on the board of PPMD (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy) – whose mission is raise awareness, fund research and advocate with the government.
8 Why is Mitchell’s Journey so important to you?
At first, Mitchell’s Journey was important to me because it was about my little boy who I love with all of my heart. Writing about him was my therapy and a way to grieve. It continues to serve that same role for me, but its importance to me has deepened as I’ve seen people’s lives affected for the good. At first it was about my little boy – but now it’s also about strengthening faith and family.
9. What is your favorite thing about this Foundation?
My favorite thing about this foundation is how it blesses lives in the most unexpected ways. I love to hear stories from mothers and fathers, teenagers and kids in elementary school, doctors and other professionals – all of them able to walk away with something they can apply in their own life. My favorite thing about the foundation is to see lives change for the better.
10. Do you think you have fulfilled what you have set out to do in starting the Foundation?
Yes and no. Yes, because we’re doing exactly what we wanted to do – but no because it often feels like we can never do enough. There will always be more people to help than resources to help them. But we’re doing the best we can with what we have – and that is something we can be happy about.
11 How have you helped families who have been impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
There are two ways we help families with DMD. Firstly, most visible, are the instillation of wheelchair ramps, home modifications to accommodate wheelchairs, lift devices and bathroom changes to help kids with wheelchairs get in and out of the bath/shower. Currently, we’re trying to repair a wheelchair van so a deserving family can have a mode of transportation.
The other way, and sometimes less visible ways, we help DMD families is in providing a roadmap for what they’re currently or are about to experience. By reading stories of Mitchell’s life experience and our reflections on God and the role of suffering, these families (regardless of their religious beliefs) find courage, faith and a new perspective to help them navigate their own struggles. Just today I saw a DMD family post on Instagram, “Mitchell’s Journey has been a source of therapy for me.”
Mitchell’s Journey is the world’s largest DMD blog and not only serves DMD families by providing universal messages of hope and perspective, it also serves the greater good for people all across the world.
12 How do you raise money for Mitchell’s Journey Foundation?
Mitchell’s Journey raises money through various fundraising activities – most notably our Miles for Mitchell run. We also raise money through private donations, fundraising partnerships (The Lights Fest, Alex and Ani, etc) and Facebook donations. We also have a place on our website for donors to make contributions.