Chris' Fight Against MD

When I was a little boy we used to sing a song in church camp that began with the line, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going…”   I am praying that this is the spark that ignites the fire needed to help my twin brother Chris who suffers from a severe case of Muscular Dystrophy.  

Without hesitation I can say that my brother Chris is the most courageous person I know.  He was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy as a child and has suffered the increasingly debilitating effects of this horrible disease ever since.  Though never one to complain, it was soon clear that even the simple pleasures in life would never come easy to him.    Unable to run as fast, jump as high or endure as long, Chris had to work so much harder than the rest of us to simply compete in the neighborhood games of touch football or the pickup games of basketball in the driveway, but no words of self-pity were ever uttered, no tantrums of frustration thrown, just a sheer determination to give it all he had just to keep up with the rest of us, a determination to just fit in.  I’ll admit that at the time, I took his courage and determination for granted, rarely offering words of encouragement, but it didn’t matter, Chris pushed on. 

Chris has done his best to live a life of normalcy and independence, working his job as a hospital intern for over 25 years caring for others as the effects of MD slowly took away his own abilities to care for himself.  As most know, Muscular Dystrophy progressively worsens over time and there is nothing that can be done to slow the deterioration of muscle tissue, as a result of this, Chris had to give up his job ten years ago as he lost the ability to stand or walk on his own.  Confined to a wheel chair for the past several years, he has carried on to the best of his ability.  Not wanting to be a burden to anyone, he alone has tackled every hurdle that this disease has thrown at him with the same courage and determination I saw in him as a small boy.   But Chris has now lost his ability to even get himself in and out of his chair and has unfortunately become bed ridden, losing the last vestige of independence he had.   It has been a long fight for my brother and he has grown weary.  He is in desperate need of professional home care support but Medicare has been doing what they do best, stonewalling his efforts to receive funding for this care.  He needs our help and that is why I’m asking you to reach into your hearts and perform an act of kindness by making a small donation, $1, $5, $10 or more and then sharing this page with as many of your friends as possible.  If we all can give just a small amount it will make a monumental difference in Chris’ life.   If you are unable to donate I understand, but please share with your friends and keep this page active.  It only takes a spark to get a fire going and I’m praying that this is the spark that will ignite a firestorm of compassion!

Thank You and God Bless You.

https://www.mda.org/sites/default/files/publications/Facts_DMD-BMD_P-211_0.pdf