Cooper & Duchenne
When Cooper was 5 years old he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aka DMD. It is a progressive muscle-wasting disorder. There is no cure or treatment.
The usual course of Duchenne is as follows:
Loss of ambulation by age 12
Loss of upper arm strength in teen years
Heart and respiratory failure in the twenties
After dealing with the shock, pain, and anger, we began our Duchenne journey. Over the years we've gotten involved with several Duchenne organizations and met many other families, doctors and scientists. Together with our friends and family, we began running marathons and climbing mountains to help raise awareness and funds to help find a cure.
By the age of sixteen, Cooper began needing a wheelchair full time.
He also discovered his love of making music, and that he's good at it. This has saved his spirit.
He is now nineteen and beating the odds. He graduated from high school with honors in 2020, is now attending college and has recently written and recorded several songs!
Fortunately, over the last several years, new treatments are beginning to look like a reality. We are hopeful that something might come in time to help keep the rest of his body strong, to help him continue making music!
