Austin has duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This is a muscle wasting disease that is 100% fatal with no treatment or cure. It is a slow steady decline. Austin lost the ability to walk 3 years ago and has lost the ability to lift his arms during the past 6 months. While this condition doesn’t affect him mentally, his decline has caused him to be 100% dependent on care. Austin had spinal fusion surgery on November 18, 2013 to correct the scoliosis that DMD has caused and to take the pressure off his heart and lungs to prolong their functions. (They are muscles too.) Austin is currently on hospital schooling at home. Austin loves being with family and friends. He also loves video games, astronomy, getting out of the house, cooking, going to the movies, and petting animals.
We are currently working on his Bucket List, which includes items and opportunities he would like to have while he still can. The list is below, please email us if you would like to help with any of them….THANK YOU!!!
1-Pet/feed a wolf and other wild animals
2-Go on a Hawaiian cruise
3-Work at a bakery for a day
4-Meet the guys on Mythbusters
5-Go to an observatory and look through a telescope
6-Have a star named after me
7-See/meet the Harlem Globe Trotters
8-Watch how fireworks go off at the Stadium of fire
9-Receive a blessing from President Monson (or at least meet him)
10-Help create the next Ratchet & Clank video game
11-Go on a hot air balloon ride
12-Give/plan a surprise party for my sister
13-Have a meteorite (the size of a baseball) for my rock collection
14-Have an accessible gaming system in my bedroom
15-Go zip lining with my dad
16-Scuba diving in the ocean
17-Have a video game party with friends
18-Go hunting and shoot a gun
19-Meet Stan Lee
20-Watch a live UFC fight