MICHIGAN MAN RECEIVES
MDA NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 23, 2006 – Matthew “Mo” Gerhardt of East Lansing, Mich., has been named the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2007 National Personal Achievement Award.

The award is part of MDA’s program of recognizing the achievements and community involvement of people across the country who are affected by neuromuscular diseases.

The award is scheduled to be announced during the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Gerhardt is scheduled to appear on the Lansing broadcast of the Telethon on WLNS TV6.

Gerhardt, 28, was chosen for the national honor from MDA’s state award recipients across the country. He is a leader in efforts to improve quality of life for people with disabilities in his state through his job, athletics and volunteer activities.

“It is a privilege to honor this accomplished and selfless young man,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “In his professional and personal activities, and volunteer efforts for MDA, Matthew Gerhardt contributes greatly to public awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities.”

Gerhardt works as an academic enrichment coordinator in the Office of Supportive Services at Michigan State University. He received the 2005-2006 MSU Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award that recognized outstanding contributions to equal opportunity for achievement and an environment of excellence.

He has authored several publications covering a variety of topics, including adaptive sports and the role of disability awareness in public education.

Gerhardt graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in May 2000 and received his master’s degree in athletic administration two years later.

He has also achieved success outside academia. The avid sports fan is very active in the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan and participated in the North America Power Hockey Championships in August.
In August, 1985, Gerhardt received a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, a progressive disease that causes generalized weakness and muscle wasting of voluntary muscles. In later stages it weakens the heart and muscles necessary for breathing. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility and has a service dog named Ted.

Gerhardt has been active with MDA for many years. He has assisted with the northern Michigan Telethon for 20 years and volunteered for several MDA events such as Stride & Ride and Shamrock sales. Gerhardt is a committee member for the MDA Muscle Team and a spokesperson for the Association.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA maintains a clinic for area adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases at Michigan State University Clinical Center in East Lansing.

The MDA Telethon will originate from the South Coast Hotel in Las Vegas on Sept. 3-4, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT. The Telethon reaches some 50 million viewers via 190 “Love Network” stations nationwide and millions more worldwide on the Internet at www.mda.org.