Run For Our Sons

[kimk]

I wanted to let you all know about a very important event coming up in September for our family, the Disneyland Inaugural Half Marathon. The purpose of the Half Marathon is to raise money for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy in honor of our nephew, John James Dykeman and we would really welcome your support. John was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in February 2005 at nearly three years old. We have learned that 1 in every 3500 boys and 20,000 babies a year are diagnosed with this disease. We were saddened and shocked but have tried to maintain a positive outlook by becoming active in the cause to find treatments and ultimately a cure, for this lethal genetic disorder.

The Disneyland Half Marathon is September 17, 2006. My husband Mo is a long time distance runner and has been training for a month already. He is looking forward to completing the run in under 2 hours! Here’s John's page:

http://www.firstgiving.com/ourjohn

All donations are secure and sent directly to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Please join us in supporting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and a fabulous cause!


I have been a long time member here so I thought I might take this opportunity to ask for help. We are very clear that John has a lethal disease. Most boys only live to be in their late teens or early twenties and that is a fact that has been devastating to us. He is a bright, happy sweet boy and we cannot believe that we will lose him to such an aggressive killer. I myself am a mom of a tall, strong, 14 year old son and I cannot imagine the agony that my brother and his wife go through every day, envisioning a life without their beautiful son and knowing the painful struggle that lies ahead for him. Anything you can do to support this worthy cause is very, very much appreciated by our entire family.

I would also like to ask for prayers for strength for John, as well as our whole family. We have a long road ahead and are trying so hard to be strong. Thank you all.


Pam/Mods:If this post is not allowed, please let me know. I did not see anything in the guidelines that prevented me from posting it so I thought it might be okay.

[espana76]

:candle: :candle: (((Kim))) I am offering up :rosary: prayers :rosary: of :jesus: healing :jesus: and:hearts: love:hearts: for ((((John)))) and his family. When I was in radio many years ago I worked for a man whose son also had this same dis-ease. You would have never known it by the way he conducted himself. I suppose having lived with this for a very long time ( Matt was 15 years old when I first became aware of this dis-ease) they learned to put the pain aside to live each day as a gift.....and live they did! I believe that Matt was involved with every sport and school function that he could manage and I remember how Sears ( his Dad) would leave work early to take him to these functions. I have to say that just seeing what Sears was going through touched me deeply.
I feel deeply for what you and your family are going through at this time and know that ((((John)))) is never alone.:angel3: :angel3:

[kimk]

Espana,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. John is still fairly young (4 yrs. old) but he loves to swim and ride bikes. When he grows up he wants to be Spiderman! My brother and sister in law are also raising their 6 year old daughter and almost two year old son so they are a very busy family. Their goal is for John to do everything he can do, for as long as he can do it. They have done a great job of including all three kids in the routines that John needs so that he doesn't even realize that he is doing things like stretching and taking medicine. They call it yoga and give the other two the same vials of "medicine" only theirs is orange juice! So far it's working and he doesn't complain or feel different. I am always sad to hear of other families that are affected by this killer disease, but the family you know sems to have been able to keep their son mobile for quite a long time. Good for them! That is the main goal at this time-keep John walking.

:love: :love:

[redpak]

My grandson, Liam, also has DMD. He was diagnosed a little over 4 years ago, he was 4.
Prayers for your family and the run.
Pat

[espana76]

(((Redpak))):candle: .....I will offer up my:rosary: prayers:rosary: for your grandson ((((Liam)))):love: . I can only imagine what you, KimK, and your families are going through. There must be some grand design in all of this anguish......though very difficult to discern. Children ,such as your grandsons, are a rare gift and touch the lives of those that love them profoundly. God Bless you both.

[espana76]

(((Kim))), I am so glad to know that your little (((John))) has such wonderful support from his entire family:hearts: . It sounds like you all are doing everything to give him the courage and stability to enjoy life to the fullest. I believe in miracles. I'll never stop believing that we each are a miracle and capable of doing miraculous wonders.......God Bless you and your family:rainbow2:

[kimk]

Redpak:
I am so sorry to hear that your family is carrying this burden as well. How is Liam doing now? :candle: :love:

Epana: Thanks again for your compassion and prayers. We believe in miracles too! :love: