It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Have you already picked up your corned beef and cabbage? How about your Irish soda bread? What about your most important seasonal accessory: the MDA Shamrock? Don’t fret! You still have time to buy one (or five). And if you’ve already made a donation, encourage your friends and family to join in the fun.

Now to keep this parade moving… We’ve been featuring right here on Strongly the Shamrockstars who are gracing Shamrocks across the country this month. And now it’s our pleasure to introduce Jakari.

Jakari

Age: 12

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Diagnosis: DMD

What it’s like being on an MDA Shamrock: “I love it and I’m excited! I think it’s cool that I got picked!” We do, too, Jakari.

Home & family life: Jakari has two brothers (both of whom he describes, jokingly we’re sure, as “annoying”), one older and one younger. They live with their mom, Lamonica.

Favorite school subject: Jakari is a fifth grader at Lovegrove Elementary. His favorite subject is math. He says that he is the smartest of his brothers. (We’re sensing a theme here 😉 )

Interests & Activities: Jakari’s favorite thing to do is play wrestling games on PlayStation 4.

MDA Camp and Care Centers: Jakari was diagnosed with DMD at the age of seven by Dr. David Hammond at the MDA Care Center at Nemours in Jacksonville. Although this Care Center is no longer operating under MDA’s umbrella, Dr. Hammond continues to see MDA families at Nemours. Jakari attends MDA Camp Suwannee in Live Oak, FL. He has been going to camp for four years, and his favorite counselor is Jacob Lauro, who he had for the first time this year.