Strongly


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

“Such a Small World”: Top Team Momentum Fundraising Team Fueled by Lifelong Friends

“My husband and I always tell people this because it is the truth: Henry is our hero,” says Stephanie Betts, an Team Momentum runner and proud mother of son Henry who lives with congenital muscular dystrophy. “He is incredibly strong. Our quote on the back of our Henry’s Heroes shirts states, ‘True strength is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.’ He is an amazing kid who has the best attitude that just draws people in. We are so incredibly lucky to be his parents.”

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Some said he was crazy to bike across America after being diagnosed with ALS. Ray Spooner said “Watch me!”

Fill the Boot

Ray Spooner, a certified nurse midwife who has ushered thousands of babies into the world, took the Ice Bucket Challenge in summer of 2014 to raise awareness about ALS. At the time, ALS “was just of jumble of letters to us,” said Ray’s wife of 33 years, Rae. Soon though, those letters would take on a . . .

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“The Most Inspiring Thing I’ve Ever Been a Part Of”: Top Fundraiser and Father of Son with Nemaline Myopathy on His Journey with Team Momentum

“My time with Team Momentum — I love it. It’s an all-year event for me,” Pat says. “The people you meet, the families you meet, the staff at the MDA — it’s all incredible. It’s the most inspiring thing I’ve ever been a part of. I explained to my wife after the first time I ran the Chicago Marathon that I feel like I have this cup of good feelings in my life, and that weekend, it overflows.”

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