The Muscular Dystrophy Association has named its newest Goodwill Ambassador. Skyler Canute is just 15 years old and was chosen to represent the MDA. Skyler is your average high school sophomore. He loves sports and reading and writing, but Skyler faces extra challenges. When he was just two years old, he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. It’s a neuro- muscular disease that will eventually break down muscle tissue. Since his diagnosis, the MDA has stepped in to help his family.
Skyler has been very active with the MDA. For the past two years, he has helped put on fundraising events at his school. The biggest one is a power soccer game where he pits the local fire department against his team.
When Skyler is at school, he works with his aid Denise Karandy. They have been paired up since he was 5 years old. She says Skyler is the kind of person who is always willing to help and wasn’t surprised when he was picked. Denise says he inspires her everyday, “He always leaves me thinking about his day, about how he gets through it all. Sometimes I think it's harder for me than him.”
Skyler hopes to take that inspiration and pass it along to everyone else he will be meeting in the year to come. “Look at the bright side, always try and get good friends and support your family and try and have a good time.” That is the advice Skyler will share.
