I remember reading the words of Evan Davis: “It’s not a bad idea to occasionally spend a little time thinking about things you take for granted. Plain everyday things.” Some mornings I open my eyes and immediately start thinking about everything I have to do. I hone in on my to-do list and all the mini fires I plan to avoid. I don’t even notice the sun shining through my blinds. It’s the little things that I shouldn’t take for granted, but I do.
And then, I read the story of one young teenager, Josh from the UK, who lives with the degenerative condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It’s then that I chronicle my life and compare it to Josh; I feel ashamed of myself.
You see, a lot of days I can’t imagine all the things that could go right in my day, and then to think, “A preschooler with DMD may seem clumsy and fall often. Parents also may note that children have trouble climbing stairs, getting up from the floor or running.”
As a momma, I know that’s a lot of unpreventable boo-boos to kiss.
There are days that my mind goes into pessimistic mode, conjuring up everything that could go wrong, and then to read, “By school age, children may walk on their toes or the balls of their feet with a slightly waddling gait, and fall frequently. To try to keep their balance, they may stick out their bellies and pull back their shoulders. Children also have difficulty raising their arms.”
I’m mortified by my thoughts of stressing and plotting to “control” my day, for these DMD children deal with so much more.
For DMD teens, activities involving the arms, legs, or trunk may require assistance or mechanical support. And for Josh, this means he has very limited independence—especially concerning his mobility.
So, if you’re looking for some life perspective or just some heart-warming DMD news, then you need to read how Josh was given an amazing gift—a gift that may strengthen him in his fight against DMD.
