My name is Jake Hytken, I am 18 years old, and I have a story to tell. I was born with an undiagnosable form of Muscular Dystrophy and the doctors were in the dark about what to expect.

In addition to MD, I also have Gaucher’s Disease, a Jewish genetically inherited disease that my brother has as well.

I always thought my medical condition through my eyes was relatively easy to handle during my earlier years. I was weak, walked with a wobble, and was exhausted by the end of the day.

I could not run, climb or play with my friends on a baseball team, or any sports teams at all, much less, go to sleep away camp.

I didn’t understand what the big deal was and why my mom wouldn’t let me go. I thought I was ‘normal.” A young kid only sees things as black and white, and I was oblivious to the shades of grey that were the reality of my illness.

But when I turned 13, I was forced to really see all the shades of my illness as my muscles weren’t growing right and started contracting. I went into a wheelchair.

Read the rest of Jake’s story here:  Hope. Compassion. Joy. One Boy’s Inspiring Story | Healing Our World Net.