It is common for people with disabilities to feel insulted by the Jerry Lewis Telethon, which raises money to find a cure and treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness.

It is often criticized for portraying children with the condition to look like they live miserable lives.

"Here is this kid, and his life is absolutely horrible. You should send us your money so we can cure him," said Tyler Smith, a senior at Edinboro University who was diagnosed with DMD at the age of 12. "But what if he doesn't want to be cured, what if he's happy the way he is?"

The print journalism major says he is just fine with his life. If he did not have DMD, he would feel nave and think that nothing could ever touch him.

As someone who is living with a terminal illness, Smith, 24, understands the importance of living life to the fullest and making each day count.

"We may have shorter life spans, but we are still able to live a full life," he said.

Smith is happy with his life, he says if given the option, he would choose to not find a cure for his condition.

"I would not be the person I am today if I did not have MD," said Smith. "I feel like I wouldn't be able to be here, making the contributions that I am able to."

Smith lives a more active life than most who have DMD. As an Assistance Residence Hall Coordinator (ARHC) in Scranton Hall, he tries to make himself presentable. "When people see me in a position of authority, they already have reason to question it," Smith said.

Being independent and living with DMD is not an easy task, but Smith tries his hardest to be self-sufficient.

Not only does he not use homework or meal aids, but he also does not use OSD vans to get around campus. "I probably put myself through more torture than I need to," he said. Smith does not see a point in using them to get to class. "To me, it's crazy, if I want to go to Hendricks Hall, it's right across the street."

Smith says it takes him about two hours to get ready in the morning. "PC's (Personal Care assistants)_hate me, they say that I spend more time in the bathroom than a woman. I say, so long as I go in there and I'm able to do it, I'm going to do it, even if it takes me forever," he said.

Because he is an ARHC, Smith feels a greater responsibility when it comes to being able to deal with his condition. "If I can't deal with it myself, and I can't talk about it, how am I going to help someone

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