BOSTON -- The MDA provides extensive diagnostic and follow-up services through its clinics to people with neuromuscular diseases.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that for more than 30 years, the MDA has been providing those services at Children's Hospital Boston. The hospital has been caring for patients at the MDA-sponsored Neuromuscular Diseases Clinic.

Children's Hospital Clinic Supported By MDA

"It's a pretty comprehensive clinic, which involves a lot of specialists and children with a lot of different disorders that are covered by the MDA," said Dr. Peter Kang, of Children's Hospital.

"We come here to the neuromuscular clinic to see Dr. Darras and Dr. Shapiro about every four to six months. It's very specialized because he also sees cardiology, pulmonary. We see every body in the building that you just can't see at the pediatrician's office. They are really good doctors up here -- very good doctors," said mother Connie Pittman.

Dr. Basil Darras is the clinic's co-director.

"The clinic is patient-centric, and by that I mean that we bring the doctors to the patient. So instead of the family having to make separate trips to the hospital to see different doctors, we bring a number of specialists to the patient so the patient comes to the clinic once every six months, once every four months, once a year, to see not only neurology, to see orthopedic, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and genetic counselors and other healthcare providers in one setting," Darras said.

Casey Pittman is visiting the clinic for his first post-operative appointment after spinal fusion surgery. He is meeting with Dr. Frederic Shapiro, his orthopedic surgeon and the clinic's co-director.

"He was developing the curvature, and then about six weeks ago, he had the major spine fusion surgery, which is a huge undertaking, you can imagine in anybody. The fusion goes basically from the base of the neck to the pelvis. But he came through with flying colors," Shapiro said.

"He did good. He had a good visit today," Connie Pittman said.

Programs like this clinic at Children's Hospital are possible because of your generous support to MDA.

"This is a model that is not supported by insurance companies so we need the help of MDA with that, and MDA has been very, very helpful for many, many years," Darras said.