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 David Calabrese, 37, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), of Maumee, Ohio with wife Carey. – Calabrese has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), a disease of the motor neurons that progressively affects all voluntary muscles, eventually resulting in complete paralysis. Before he began experiencing the symptoms of ALS, Calabrese worked on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company's Saline, Mich., plant. He also spent more than 20 years playing football, starting at Maumee High School and playing with a number of semi-pro teams, including the Northwest Ohio Knights. In 2008, he took over coaching for the Knights (which he and wife, Carey, now own) and led the team to the league championship. Calabrese enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters Paige (18), Hali (15) and Alexis (15), and son Shawn (11). |
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 Tyler Myers, 12, DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy), of Las Vegas, along with mom, Doriann, dad, Brad, and brother Mason. – Tyler has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a degenerative genetic disease that progressively affects all voluntary muscles, the heart and breathing muscles, and uses a power wheelchair. His brother, Mason, 9, is not affected. Outgoing and talkative, Tyler enjoys MDA summer camp, video and board games, swimming, power wheelchair soccer and animals of all kinds. He served as MDA's 2006 Las Vegas goodwill ambassador and has participated with his family in the Harley-Davidson "Ride for Dreams," Lock-Ups, Shamrocks kick-off events and golf tournaments. In 2000 and 2008, Tyler appeared with his family on the local Las Vegas Telethon broadcast. |
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 Augie (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease) and Lynne Nieto of Corona del Mar, Calif., co-chairpersons of the MDA's ALS Division. – Augie, 51, received a diagnosis of ALS in March 2005. The co-founder and former president of Life Fitness and the current chairman of Octane Fitness, he has written a book, Augie's Quest: One Man's Journey from Success to Significance, about his experience with ALS. As co-chairs of MDA's ALS Division, the Nietos help raise awareness of ALS through media interviews, speaking engagements and public service announcements. Augie also serves MDA as a national vice president. The Nietos spearhead MDA's Augie's Quest research initiative, which so far has raised more than $19 million to benefit the ALS Division's "fast-track" research program.
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 Caroline Pennell, 14, LGMD (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy) of Chesterfield, Va. along with mom, Robin, dad, Pat, and brother Patrick. – Caroline has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), a genetic, progressive disease that causes muscle weakness and atrophy, starting in the shoulder and hip areas, and she uses a powered wheelchair over long distances. Her brother, Patrick, 17, is not affected. Caroline loves art, the outdoors, swimming, boating, dancing and socializing with friends. With her family, she's an active participant in many local MDA events, including Fill-the-Boot campaigns, Lock-Ups and Stride & Rides. Caroline served as the local MDA goodwill ambassador, was profiled on the 2008 Richmond Telethon, and appeared in a local video message for Lowe's, an MDA national sponsor. |
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 Vance Taylor, 31, LGMD (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy) of Oxon Hill, Md., along with wife Casey and daughters Isabelle (4), and Samantha (2). – Taylor has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), a genetic, progressive disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting, starting in the shoulder and pelvic areas. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility. Taylor works at the Washington lobbying firm Catalyst Partners. He co-hosted MDA’s local Washington Telethon broadcast in 2008 and regularly attends Maryland MDA summer camp, where he speaks to teens about college, work, family and independent living. Dedicated to helping MDA, Taylor has visited Capitol Hill to lobby for issues of importance to the people served by the Association. |
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 Abbey Umali – 2009 MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali, 10, CMT (Charcot Marie-Tooth disease) of Redlands, Calif., with mom, Wendi, and father, Joel. – Abbey, who is serving her second term as National Goodwill Ambassador, and who served as California's MDA goodwill ambassador in 2006 and 2007, has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), which causes muscle atrophy, lack of coordination and some loss of sensation in upper and lower extremities. Abbey will make her first solo singing appearance and will perform “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” She and her family have traveled the country representing the Association and the people it serves. An elementary student, Abbey enjoys swimming, singing and playing the piano, and is interested in becoming a veterinarian. This will be the family's fourth consecutive appearance on the national Telethon.
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 Kayla Vittek, 4, MMD (myotonic muscular dystrophy) of Rocklin, Calif., along with mom Lisa and dad, Jeff. – Kayla has myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD), a genetic, degenerative disease characterized by weakness and atrophy primarily in the voluntary muscles. She uses leg braces, and communicates via American Sign Language. In addition to participating in horseback riding therapy once a week, Kayla loves to read, dance, listen to music and play basketball with her parents. The Vitteks are active with MDA, participating in fundraisers and volunteering at the Sacramento Telethon each year.
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