There are two threads, X and Y,
And on the X-thread, an error arrives—
Mutating the ‘DMD’ gene,
Causing a condition progressive and mean.

07 September is the day
To spread awareness about the same—
A condition we know
As Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, by name.

A young boy hasn’t walked up to 18 months?
Your radar needs to beep!
Super-raised blood CPK
May be the first clue—
We need to delve deep.

EMG and gene test
May follow the line,
To cross the first hurdle
And detect this condition in time.

Screen their mums early, not late!
Be wary—
A single mutant copy
Can dilate their hearts,
And cause a second child with DMD.
A matter of unease!

Monitor the kids up-and-close,
Allow good physiotherapy—
Delay the muscles
From getting contracted and sore.

Timely steroids,
Breathing exercises,
Flu shots, and more…

And how can we not mention
Exon skipping, ataluren, CRISPR-Cas9,
And gene therapies…
Oh! The magical world
Of genomic possibilities!

Wingardium Leviosa,
Abra-ca-dabra—
‘HOPE’, we cling on to you!

Why let their bodies be wheelchaired?
Let their dreams fly far!

Spread the word—
The condition isn’t all-that-rare.
We all need to stand up for these kids
And show that we indeed…
CARE.