| Short Bio |
I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3. I am 54yrs old and currently use a power wheelchair full time. My younger brother Ryan has the same condition.
My symptoms and weakness started at 4 yrs old. Due to a very limited understanding of muscular dystrophy at the time, I was not able to be diagnosed. With no known explanation for my weakness, I was forced to attend and struggle through “normal” school life and gym classes. It wasn’t until after graduating high school that I was finally diagnosed with SMA. The realization that there was a clinical explanation for my weakness and also an organization that could provide support gave me the strength to refocus my energy on the future and reject the belief that this weakness was somehow my own fault.
I went on to college and a 30 year career in automation engineering and design. I have been married for over 30 years. My wife Diane and I have two sons that are 28 and 24.
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