Power of Will

Meet Ed

My name is Ed Tessaro

Living with ALS

I WILL be more grateful for clinicians and Associations working for me every day, and for the ALS Registry & CDC

My strength comes out of my suffering: to quote Hemingway, ‘the world breaks all of us, and we become stronger at the broken places.’

The hardest thing I've ever done telling my wife we wouldn’t grow old together

What made it possible gratitude for the life we shared and still do

What I learned how much good there is in the world, measured by all the acts of kindness offered to us by perfect strangers

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with ALS like Ed. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Justin

My name is Justin Cohen

Living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)

I WILL find a cure for my disease

The hardest thing I've ever done Getting my PhD.

What made it possible Stubbornness, and my family, who made sure I never used my disease as an excuse or way out

What I learned Never be ashamed to ask for help

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Justin. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Ethan

My name is Ethan LyBrand

Living with neuromuscular disease

I WILL become a Veterinarian

My strength Comes from my Mom and Dad who have taught me to never say “I can’t” and to always finish strong

The hardest thing I’ve ever done Go to camp when I was 6 and leave my mom and dad for a week!

What made it possible The camp volunteers made it so easy to stay, and we had so much fun that I was not homesick at all

What I learned It was the best week of my life and made me feel more independent

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Ethan. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Peter

My name is Peter Saleh

Living with Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT)

I WILL double down on my strengths

My strength comes from knowing my condition is hereditary allowing me to figure out the physical disadvantage I inherited must have been accompanied by other perhaps less tangible traits - resourcefulness, personality, problem solving, or a degree of patience - that help me compensate and succeed

Hardest thing I’ve ever done was getting into a severe bike accident that required reconstructive surgery on my right hand. The physical rehabilitation and rebuilding of my music career was hard - I am a drummer/percussionist - it required a lot of faith and determination

Where I get my support from Sue, my partner of 10 years and my dog Batman were crucial in my ability to persist in trying to build things back up. I also have a talented hand therapist who helped tremendously by being grounded and attentive to my particular situation

What I learned was that your life and health aren’t guaranteed so make the most of your time

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Peter. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Joe

My name is Joe Jarman

IAFF partner

I WILL do anything I can to help with MDA including walking across the state of Virginia with March for MDA

My strength Comes from my family and friends who give me all the strength I need

Hardest thing I’ve ever done Walk across the state of Virginia with March for MDA

What made it possible The support of my wife, children, my MDA coordinator Darcy Warren, my best friend Travis Saunders and everyone at the Suffolk Fire Department

What I learned I am consistently trying to find something more to increase awareness

What presence does MDA have in your life? My personal connection to MDA started my very first year in the fire department and has grown every year

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Lindsey

My name is Lindsey Baker.

Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

I WILL tell our stories.

The hardest thing I've ever done Giving up driving, which felt like I was giving up my independence.

What made it possible I learned to ask for help -- even when I didn't want to.

What I learned Having to make the most of time outside my home means living more intentionally. None of my time in the world is wasted.

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Lindsey. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Reagan

My name is Reagan Imhoff

Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

I WILL go to college and live on my own!

My strength comes from my family and friends always encouraging me to follow my own path, be my own person, and do my own thing

Hardest thing I’ve ever done was having to be without my wheelchair for six weeks after it was destroyed on my way home from vacation

What I learned was that I am stronger than I thought

What made it possible is my strength and never wanting to let my physical limitations stop me from living my life

Personal connection to MDA I was fortunate enough to be the MDA national ambassador and have been attending the MDA Summer Camp since I was six years old. Along the way I have met so many incredible people living with and caring for all different types of muscle diseases. We all face difficulties, and for many of us living with muscle disease it is on a daily basis. Even though my physical abilities are limited, I know how fortunate I am to have such a huge support system of people that want to see me live my best life!

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Justin

My name is Justin Moy

Living with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD)

I WILL lead my student organizations through this pandemic

My strength Comes from my family who I consider to be my greatest support team. Without them and the lessons they taught me, I wouldn’t be able to take on and accomplish my goals

Hardest thing I’ve ever done Navigate the Massachusetts public healthcare system in order to hire PCAs

What made it possible Necessity made it possible to overcome the challenges, I knew this was possible to complete, and that failing is not an option

What I learned As long as you are persistent and don’t lose sight of your goal, it is always worth it to take on a task

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Justin. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Brandon

My name is Brandon Barash

Actor and MDA Advocate

I WILL stop at nothing to continue to champion the women, men, and children who are fighting neuromuscular disease, for they are some of the planet's toughest heroes

My strength If I survived a punctured heart at the age 17 during a heart surgery gone horribly wrong, I can be strong and continue to raise my voice for the funding of treatments for neuromuscular diseases

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is burying my father when I was 38. 20 years before that, the hardest thing was laying my best friend, Chad Darvey, to rest at age 18. He suffered with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

What made it possible The strength that my mom and dad programmed into my DNA made it possible for me to gracefully navigate such a terrible loss

What I learned That love never dies. It can't. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed -- it can only transfer from one to another. The same goes for love

Personal connection to MDA Through the work I do with MDA, they've made Chad immortal. His legacy lives on through every donor, recipient, and anyone who is moved by his story and the work that we're doing. Until his dying day, Chad never gave up fighting. I pledge that I will pick up fighting where he left off, and I too, will not give up until my final day

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today or donate to Brandon’s DIY challenge

Meet Devin

My name is Devin Argall

Living with Duchenne

I WILL further my education and plan for my independent future.

The hardest thing I've ever done show my friends I’m more like them than they think, and that even if I can’t do things with them exactly the way they do it, I can find another way to be a part of the experience.

What made it possible Getting my driver’s license and a job helped them see I’m not so different.

What I learned All friendships take work -- but each one is worth the effort.

Will you support new breakthroughs that make it possible for people with neuromuscular disease to pursue their dreams?

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Devin. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Wolfgang

My name is Wolfgang Pernice

Researcher living with Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT)

I WILL fight to enable strength through science

My strength Comes from the resilience and persistence of neuromuscular disease patients who refuse to be limited. I find inspiration in stories of parents who fight with every fiber of their being for their children's futures

The hardest thing I’ve ever done Becoming personally familiar with the gradual yet relentless way in which neuromuscular disease attempts to limit us, for all my life

What made it possible My muscle team, consisting of my incredible friends and family as well as my clinical and scientific colleagues. Special shout-out to my 2016 MDA Team Wolfpack New York City Ttriathlon partners Arda Bozyigit and Nick DeVeaux. And my father, who refuses to this day to be limited by his disease. Through him, I have never seen our condition as anything but a challenge to be taken on

What I learned Through my scientific and medical colleagues with whom I have the privilege to work, I have learned to find confidence that we truly can change the course of our diseases in the near future. As a scientist, I can say that there has never been a better time to hope for breakthroughs in the field of neuromuscular disease research

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Wolfgang. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Ralph

My name is Ralph Yaniz

Living with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD)

I WILL continue to build the LGMD2L Foundation and participate in research around the world

My strength Comes from always looking forward and constantly searching for solutions for future generations

Hardest thing I’ve ever done The hardest thing I’ve done physically is the trip I took to Belgium in January to participate in a clinical study. It was difficult traveling with the cold and wet weather. I also had lots of clinical testing, including a full body MRI and three needle biopsies

What I learned I’ve learned that in life you need to keep looking forward. You have to strive and live and learn so you can thrive. It’s about creative living each step of the way

What made it possible The entire MD community I work with - leaders and members of other foundations and organizations, and members of all of the Facebook sites

Personal connection to MDA I have had five (biopsies) and have muscle cells in Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and the country of Belgium. I will continue to participate to help find cures and treatments. I was also on MDA’s first National Community Advisory Committee and I participate in MDA Muscle Walks annually.

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Ralph. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Billy

My name is Billy Gilman

Singer and MDA Advocate

I WILL continue to be a soldier for the copious amount of kids and adults living with neuromuscular disease.

My strength comes from I personally find strength to defy many odds is simply watching the strength of kids and adults have fighting just to breathe or stand on their own because of the type of MD they have. It’s a strength I know I will never have and it’s very powerful.

HARDEST THING I’VE EVER DONE is my career isn’t the easiest one. It’s the hardest thing to conquer but day by day, to make a difference through my music, keeps me fighting.

WHAT MADE IT POSSIBLE? I try to make music that can better the world. I’m all about creating lyrics that inspire in some way. When I see the response from people around the world, I know that it’s all worth it.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE? It’s a constant take away for me. I am always inspired by the public, including those fighting with MD.

PERSONAL CONNECTION TO MDA I have been a part of the MDA family for almost 20 years. There is nothing more close to my heart than the families and patients I’ve met. They leave an indelible mark in my heart.

I will soldier on for all the kids and adults fighting the odds with a neuromuscular disease. They need me, they need you.

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Bill. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Nathan

My name is Nathan Mayer

Living with neuromuscular disease

I WILL be a World Champion

My strength comes FROM showing the people that are doubting my abilities that I belong on the US National Power Soccer Team

Hardest thing I’ve ever done losing the strength in my arm so much so that I could barely drive my soccer chair at a competitive level. I have been playing soccer since I was 6 years old and I have always dreamed of being on Team USA, and now I don’t know if I will even be able to compete locally; all because of my disability. It was very hard and I didn’t know what to do

What made it possible My family was supportive through the entire process and helping me find my game again. I wouldn’t have been able to get back to where I needed to be without them

What I learned is that no matter who doubts you and how hard the hard road may seem, hard work and determination will always get you further along. I have applied that mentality to not only soccer, but to work, school, and life as a whole

Personal connection to MDA has been a sign of strength and community. It’s been really helpful having the MDA fight for treatments to become a reality

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Nathan. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Jordan

My name is Jordan Reidenberg

Living with neuromusclar disease

I WILL be positive through every hardship, because negativity makes things worse

My strength comes from support I have received at MDA Summer Camp and MDA Care Center staff. Family and friends help me stay positive throughout my own journey

Hardest thing I’ve ever done is see all my other classmates lead pretty typical teenage lives, getting their license, etc

What I learned is to be patient and think about what I have and not what I don’t. It has taught me not to compare my life to others

What made it possible MDA has shown me that everyone, whatever their ability, can overcome anything. No matter the situation, the kids are happy and still have fun doing what they can

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases like Jordan. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Travis

My name is Lt. Travis Saunders

IAFF Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department (VA), March for MDA

I WILL continue to raise funds any way necessary for the MDA

My strength comes from the brave individuals affected by these diseases and their will to keep fighting the good fight

Where I get support from my fire department, our local MDA ambassadors, MDA greater Virginia and the entire MDA Organization

Personal connection to MDA is raising money through fill the boot and other ventures as a member of the fire service

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!

Meet Katie

My name is Katie Gallagher

Care Center nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

I WILL continue to work for a brighter future for my friends and patients

The hardest thing I've ever done is become a single foster parent

What made it possible The support system of my friends and family, especially my parents

What I learned, through my years at MDA Camp, that it is okay to lean on others for help and that it can bring them joy, just like helping at camp has brought so much joy into my life

MDA has played a huge role in my life, helping me to find the career of nursing and my current job at Penn Medicine's MDA Care Center, as well bringing amazing people into my life: campers, counselors, and MDA employees. MDA has a way of bringing amazing people together, and I am lucky enough to call many of them my friends

Your support advances research and programs that improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today or start your own 30 Days of Strength fundraising campaign!