Strongly


An expression of the live unlimited spirit, stories and voices of the MDA community

Oregon State Goodwill Ambassador

Christopher Hay, Age 8 Hubbard, OR Home and Family Christopher is the son of Tammy and James Hay. He has one older sister, Emily. Diagnosis Christopher has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2. He was diagnosed in September of 2007. SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary . . .

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Pennsylvania State Goodwill Ambassador

Carlee Weber, Age 12 Williamsport, PA Home and Family Carlee lives with her mom Nicole, stepfather Keith, brother Chase, stepsister Morgan, 2 cats and 2 dogs. Diagnosis Carlee was diagnosed with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. The age at . . .

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Rhode Island State Goodwill Ambassador

Phoebe Szosz, Age 13 Barrington, RI Home and Family Phoebe lives with her parents and two older sisters. Phoebe’s father, Noah, also lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Diagnosis Phoebe was diagnosed at age 11 with CMT, a disease her father has been diagnosed with although, his onset was later in life. CMT results in overall muscle . . .

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South Carolina State Goodwill Ambassador

Trent Tomco, Age 11 Aiken, SC Home and Family Trent is the son of Michelle and Paul Tomco. He has two brothers and two sisters. Diagnosis Trent has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that . . .

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South Dakota State Goodwill Ambassador

Tysen Cook, Age 16 Watertown, SD Home and Family Tysen is the son of Nicole Cook-Rieffenberger and Justin Ward. Tysen lives with his mother, step-father-to-be, Brad, and 3 brothers, Braxtyn, Camdyn and Cruz. Diagnosis Tysen was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). FA’s major neurological symptoms include muscle weakness and ataxia, a loss of balance and . . .

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Tennessee State Goodwill Ambassador

Aiden Atkins, Age 10 Lebanon, TN Home and Family Aiden is the son of Alan and Michelle. Aiden is outgoing and loves to be the center of attention. He is very well-spoken and converses easily with all who have the opportunity to meet him. Diagnosis Aiden was diagnosed with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) in 2008. . . .

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Texas State Goodwill Ambassador

Bryant “B.J.” Bond, Age 12 Stafford, TX Home and Family BJ lives with his mother and miniature poodle, Cinnamon. Diagnosis In 2005, he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III, at Texas Children’s Hospital, an MDA Clinic in Houston. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system . . .

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Utah State Goodwill Ambassador

Devin Sundquist, Age 11 Orem, UT Home and Family Devin lives at home with three sisters, his mom and step dad. He loves to play board games and hang out with his family. Diagnosis Devin was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of seven. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized . . .

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Virginia State Goodwill Ambassador

Cassidy Wilson, Age 15 Roanoke, VA Home and Family Cassidy is the son of Jeanne & Dr. Jeffery Wilson. He has two brothers, Alex and Aiden, and a dog, Sammy. Diagnosis Cassidy has Charcot Marie Tooth (Type 2A), which causes damage to the peripheral nerves and relay sensations, like pain and temperature. CMT can cause . . .

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Washington State Goodwill Ambassador

Marion Balderas, Age 13 Moses Lake, WA Home and Family Marion is a happy-go-lucky girl who lives with her mom, Kima, and dad, Izzy. She has two dogs- a poodle named Cloud and a cockapoo named Jager. Diagnosis Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) refers to a group of muscular dystrophies that become apparent at or near . . .

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