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Lindsey Mulroy's Duchenne Dash

Lindsey Mulroy took part in the Duchenne Dash 2024 after her son, Luca, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in February 2022 when he was six years old.

This is Lindsey's Dash story.

My son Luca was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in February 2022 when he was six years old.

I know exactly where I was standing. I know exactly what I was wearing. I know I’d just spilt a glass of water on the carpet and was cleaning it up. I know I looked up and saw my husband’s face.

The email had come through with the results. And I know in that moment it felt like a hand had reached into my life and turned off the light.

The email had come through with the results. And I know in that moment it felt like a hand had reached into my life and turned off the light.  

We’d noticed some physical discrepancies between my son and other children his age but had been reassured by physiotherapists that it was nothing serious. We then went to another paediatrician to test for Dyspraxia. And she’d sent us for the blood test. 

I’d spent the last few nights before that moment lying awake repeating “He doesn’t have it, He doesn’t have it” over and over and over again, willing that statement to be true. But it wasn’t true. And the months that followed were big black clouds of grief. A never-ending pit of hospital visits, devastating conversations with friends and family and tears. Constant tears. On zoom, on the phone, on the floor next to my little boy’s bed while he slept, on my husband. On and on and on. 

At some point, we set about living with Duchenne the best way we could as a family. And that included sharing the diagnosis with Luca. It also included networking with other families and organisations like Duchenne UK. 

One morning Dave said to me, shall we do the Duchenne Dash? I replied “Yes, ok”. And that was that. 6 months before the ride, I got onto a bicycle for the first time since primary school. Determined and terrified as hell. 

This diagnosis makes you feel so useless and powerless but the ride meant I was doing something. I’ll always remember the words of Duchenne UK’s founder and CEO, Emily Rueben: “You can let this diagnosis happen to you, or you can choose to fight.” 

It was a huge challenge physically. But I was supported all the way through the training by my friends, family and insanely patient husband. The 2 training sessions run beforehand were key for me. From meeting other riders, to realising how many awesome people are in this world, willing to make a difference to families like mine. 

The ride captains get you through it! They are machines, comedians, therapists and your greatest fans. And somehow the kilometres get conquered. Everything is so brilliantly organised. And the vibe is indescribable. There is as much laughter and fun as there is grit and sweat.

My top tips would be to follow the training plan, go to the training days and don’t think about the ride as 300km. Divide it into small chunks of distance and just focus on getting that one chunk done at a time. (A tip I got from the ride captains.)

I’d encourage people to sign up for the Dash because Duchenne UK is fundamentally changing the world for families like mine. What they’ve achieved is astonishing and if you’re going to do something for a charity, then you can with 100% certainty know that every pound you raise will make a real, tangible and very precious difference to our boys. 

My greatest moment was riding through Paris, hanging on by a thread, with blistered hands, a very sore bum and tears streaming down my face. Overwhelmed with what I’d achieved and feeling all the love and support of my fellow Dashers. Then getting off my bike and giving my husband the biggest hug of our marriage. Oh, and the beer placed into my hands by one of the wonderful volunteers. That beer was the best thing I’ve ever tasted. 

I’m doing it all again next year and I hope to see you there. 

Sign up for the Duchenne Dash 2025.