Every morning, Juniper Riddle begins her day the same way: reading a medical journal. It’s a habit she formed in nursing school—one that reflects her lifelong curiosity and deep commitment to caring for others. After 20 years working as a veterinary technician while raising four children, Juniper fulfilled a dream by earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and stepping eagerly into a new role at an assisted living facility.
Long hours and hard work were nothing new to Juniper, so when fatigue began creeping into her days, she brushed it aside. Who wouldn’t feel worn down after working 80 hours a week? For five years, she pushed through, fueled by her passion for learning and helping others. Then something changed. A tremor appeared in her hand, impossible to ignore. Almost overnight, tasks she once performed with ease, like starting an IV, became frighteningly difficult. Her hands no longer felt like her own.
These symptoms fell on puzzled ears; the neurologist couldn’t pinpoint the origin of these changes. It wasn’t until Juniper’s aunt received a diagnosis that the pieces finally began to fall into place. Genetic testing revealed myotonic dystrophy type 2, a diagnosis Juniper shared with her aunt and her mother.
Harvesting Independence
Juniper has always been a problem solver. When nursing was no longer possible, she looked for new ways to stay engaged, active, and connected to what she loved most. That search led her to a small piece of farmland in Oregon, where days could be spent tending to her animals and gardens.
At first, farm life felt like the perfect fit. It kept her moving, surrounded her with animals, and gave her space to focus on her health. The farm grew to include cows, chickens, and turkeys. As time went on, Juniper realized that farmwork was getting harder instead of easier. Lifting bales of hay was no longer realistic; her legs started giving out, and Juniper started falling more often.
When asked what has made life with DM easier, she speaks honestly about learning to “allocate energy to what’s manageable.” Embracing a wheelchair brought her unexpected freedom and independence, and finding the right shoes helped her move with greater confidence. Scaling back the farm allowed her to redirect her energy toward something that brought both joy and accessibility—gardening.
Through research and creativity, Juniper discovered hydroponic gardening, which offered flexibility in plant height, layout, and watering. With the support of her husband and children, the Riddle family built several hydroponic greenhouses. These systems circulate water without the need for heavy lifting. The family has experimented with innovative approaches, including using worms and goldfish to nourish the plants. Today, harvesting fresh produce for dinner is a short distance from the front door.
Rooted in Advocacy
Juniper’s adaptability extends far beyond her own home. She is deeply committed to making the world more accessible for others living with DM. From advocating for wheelchair-friendly sidewalks in her community to contacting legislators in support of DM research, Juniper uses her voice wherever she can. She enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with others in the DM community, finding strength in connection. She has also served as an Advocacy Captain for Oregon with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and participated in MDF's Advocacy opportunities. Juniper finds additional community through MDF’s DM2 Facebook Group, Share Your Story Campaign, and support groups. Learning in these spaces has given her hope, reminding her that she is “living in a time where there are so many advancements in technology.”
This year, Juniper looks forward to attending an MDF Regional Conference in Palo Alto, California—another opportunity to learn, connect, and continue shaping a life defined not by limitation, but by creativity. She and her husband also celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2025 and she is looking forward to another year of shared joy with him and their children.
