The Dutch Neuromuscular Diseases Association, The Vereniging Spierziekten Nederland (VSN), is an active and dynamic association of and for people with a neuromuscular disease. The VSN aims at protecting the interests of its members. Its activities consist of providing information, organising mutual support and stimulating scientific research. The VSN was one of the founding members of EAMDA and the ENMC and favours international cooperation in the field of research and the development of therapies.
The VSN was founded in 1967 and now has approximately 9.000 members. More than 300 volunteers actively support the association's activities. The VSN maintains a network of 10 regional groups and 14 national diagnosis-bound support groups. These groups monitor international developments in the field of research, are involved in psychosocial care and provide information on technical appliances.
The SMA support group was founded in the late 1970s. As of December 2004 it has 580 members, associated with 616 people with SMA. The SMA support group provides information, publishes a newsletter and is actively involved in the development of research in the Netherlands and abroad. The SMA support group has a professional staff in the association's national bureau in Baarn, the Netherlands.