We are the Dions: Joe and Courtney and our three beautiful children Peter 10, Luke 8 and Maggie 6 (not pictured: our two German shepherds).
We live on the South Shore of Massachusetts, in a beachy town where we love raising our family. We enjoy soaking up the sun at the beach and spending our time near the ocean: we love taking family vacations on our boat all around the Cape and the Islands. We pack up the kids and sail off like a nautical Family Robinson.
Our world stopped spinning this summer when we learned of our son Peter’s diagnosis with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2C, and subsequently, our daughter Maggie’s same diagnosis. While we are navigating the devastating and unknown world of living with a serious rare disease, we have harnessed our grief and fear into fierce and unwavering advocacy for our children: The Dion Foundation.
Peter just turned 10 in October.
He is the oldest of his siblings, and he is the best big brother, oldest child and friend anyone could ask for. He is sweet, kind, and incredibly considerate. Peter is the one who is always appreciating the little things, and never wanting anyone to go out of their way.
Peter loves all things building, Legos, construction and architecture. He loves to learn about aircraft carriers, war planes, and Naval vessels. We always encourage him that if he works hard he could design his very own USS Peter. His affinity for math and science in school will certainly help.
Peter doesn’t play sports: but his groups of friends span from the entire football team to all the hockey jocks. Peter has endless friends who all call him “best friend”. He is so affable and easy-going that he gets along so well with everyone. He truly is a dream boy: sweet, smart, kind, funny and caring.
Maggie is 6 years old.
Joe and I thought for sure Maggie would be our third boy, but when she surprised us we felt our family was so complete with our little girl.
She is in first grade and loves school. She is so determined to learn to read and write, you can always find her with a pen and paper spelling our words and journaling everything. She is incredibly determined and motivated.
Maggie loves to dance, and do gymnastics, and wants to be a cheerleader next year – but she can rough and tumble with her brothers when she needs to!
She is feisty yet incredibly sensitive and caring. Maggie wants to be a nurse or a veterinarian when she grows up – but hates the sight of a band-aid. Her nurturing nature will be the center of whatever she choses to do in the future.
Maggie is the ultimate best friend: she is always paying her friends compliments and encouragement, she is there to cheer up a friend in need and is always beaming with positivity. She is a ray of sunshine!
