Over the last five years, Steven and his family have learned to find the positive, even in the most challenging situations. Diagnosed with Duchenne MD at age five and a half, Steven, now 10, is fortunate to still be walking. He loves to go fishing, boating, hunting and ride his four-wheeler. “He is a social butterfly, the life of the party and won’t let anybody tell him what he can’t do,” says Andrew Gilberti, Steven’s ATP.
 
Steven has attended MDA camp outside of Atlanta, GA for the past three summers and was recently named an MDA ambassador for Greater South Carolina. It was at MDA camp where Steven and his family met Andrew for the first time and was introduced to Numotion.
 
“I can’t tell you how important our relationship is with Andrew,” said Steven’s mom English. “I spoke with Andrew not too long ago at our local MDA Walk and we discussed having Steven fitted for a wheelchair as his mobility has become more difficult.”
 
While Steven can still walk, going longer distances has become challenging for him. Fitting Steven for a chair was something English knew was necessary but she worried that meant he’d have to give up some of his independence too.
 
English said, “We are so appreciative of Andrew’s help as he guided us through this new way of life. This was something that we feared and have not wanted to deal with but Andrew made this experience a good one.”
 
Andrew worked with Steven and his family to find a chair that met all of their needs and made sure it matched Steven’s personality too. “Steven has expressed how comfortable his chair is and how easy it is to get around now as well,” said English. “Andrew also helped Steven customize his chair by adding light-up casters. The kids at school think it’s cool and that was a big deal!”

Steven’s love for fishing and the outdoors inspired the family start their own non-profit called the Strength Foundation, a fishing program for disabled children.