Our story is difficult to write in a poignant GoFundMe paragraph. Our story is individual and united.
On August 23rd, 1987 - Ricky and Michael Couture entered this world. Born with broken arms, clavicles, club feet, lima bean shaped heads.....(they shared a small space from the get go).....bones so thin and gracile they were barely viewable on x-ray and virtually no muscle mass - they survived. As the 16th and 17th diagnosed cases of Multi-Core Myopathy, and identical twins. We were told they would never walk - let alone survive - they persevered. Michael and Ricky took their first steps when they were 5 years old, despite what we were told.
We were a triad from that moment on. I was, and am their mother. Our choices in life were based on an unconventional sense of hope and courage. A promise to survive. For 31 years, 10 months and two days - we have kept that promise. It would take a novel to truly depict the trials, successes and pitfalls we have faced, for this time we have been gifted. We have never given up on hope~ yet that feeling has been superseded by helplessness. It is a hard place to be.
I do not want my friends who also live day by day - facing their own challenges - to worry or give more than they have. I wish no more for anything than for Ricky and Michael to have the comfort they so deserve to continue with the ARMS needed to fight this battle.
Ricky is facing a force that has taken his strength - his air and his quality of life. His pulmonary issues poison him daily with CO2 buildup poisoning his own body. He has a trilogy ventilator, Beta Blocker medicine and morphine to ease the panic of suffocating - and still he fights. I want him to have a space ~ with good clean air ~ and the creature comfort he needs and so deserves.
Love you all,
Riana
On August 23rd, 1987 - Ricky and Michael Couture entered this world. Born with broken arms, clavicles, club feet, lima bean shaped heads.....(they shared a small space from the get go).....bones so thin and gracile they were barely viewable on x-ray and virtually no muscle mass - they survived. As the 16th and 17th diagnosed cases of Multi-Core Myopathy, and identical twins. We were told they would never walk - let alone survive - they persevered. Michael and Ricky took their first steps when they were 5 years old, despite what we were told.
We were a triad from that moment on. I was, and am their mother. Our choices in life were based on an unconventional sense of hope and courage. A promise to survive. For 31 years, 10 months and two days - we have kept that promise. It would take a novel to truly depict the trials, successes and pitfalls we have faced, for this time we have been gifted. We have never given up on hope~ yet that feeling has been superseded by helplessness. It is a hard place to be.
I do not want my friends who also live day by day - facing their own challenges - to worry or give more than they have. I wish no more for anything than for Ricky and Michael to have the comfort they so deserve to continue with the ARMS needed to fight this battle.
Ricky is facing a force that has taken his strength - his air and his quality of life. His pulmonary issues poison him daily with CO2 buildup poisoning his own body. He has a trilogy ventilator, Beta Blocker medicine and morphine to ease the panic of suffocating - and still he fights. I want him to have a space ~ with good clean air ~ and the creature comfort he needs and so deserves.
Love you all,
Riana
Organizer and beneficiary
Riana Szymkiewicz
Beneficiary