Squeaky Wheel

There is a metaphor that says, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” What does that mean? Among other things, the notion suggests that a problem which becomes most conspicuous typically gets a solution before problems not on people’s radar screen. The currently feverish search for a COVID-19 vaccination is a good example.

In ancient days, according to Dr. Luke, there was an autocratic king who did not particularly enjoy entreaties from ordinary folks. One day, an ordinary lady approached the king in his court and begged to be heard about a need important to her. The king initially did not want to give the lady any time, much less an audience. She persisted, even crying out, to be heard.

Alas, the king finally relented and listened to her. We do not know for sure if the king provided a solution for the persistent lady, but we do know he listened to her when his background and instincts would have preferred to the contrary. The ordinary lady in that oft-repeated Bible story acted like a squeaky wheel. She eventually got the grease!

The Duchenne community needs to maintain a squeaky wheel. Today is the end of the Duchenne Action Month of September, 2020. Thanks to the thousands of constituents and other caring persons and agencies that took the time to make a bit of a positive difference with respect to drawing attention to what is needed to cure Duchenne.  Indeed, there will be a cure one day, just like there invariably will be a vaccination or anti-body for the pandemic virus over the next several months. 

Let’s all get squeakier in the uncertain months to come with the intent of influencing the medical research community, pharmaceutical companies, funding sources, policy makers, and even Duchenne constituents who may have become a bit apathetic or hopeless to listen even more closely and act more robustly and to do something helpful about what they are hearing with respect to dream-killing Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Let’s be more like that ordinary lady in ancient times.

Kindly yours,

Papa from Tennessee