People say everyone experiences “15 Minutes of Fame” in their lifetime. My experience took place when I was only nine years old. My picture was chosen for the cover of Parade Magazine when they were trying to get draw attention to help find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy (MD). I have a type of MD, called Mitochondrial Myopathy. Because of this disease, I cannot walk without holding on to something. For me, this experience is important because scientists have been trying to find a cure for more than 40 years. This experience has taught me to be more out-going and to try to get people to know me.

After I sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross in the Talent Show at the MDA Camp 2005, I had my picture taken by a professional photographer, whom was from Parade Magazine, at the time I did not realize the significance of the photo. Several weeks later, my mom received a call from the President of the National Muscular Dystrophy Association Office. They told me that I was going to be on the cover of Parade Magazine, which is distributed to 23 million homes all over the United States. When I heard this information, a huge smile spread across my face. I was extremely excited, and had an “Oh My Gosh” moment. A few days later, we got a call from the Modesto Bee requesting two interviews, one from me and one from my mom. I felt extremely scared and nervous during the interview. On Labor Day, 2005, my mom woke me up and told me that the interviewer was at my house. I was full of anticipation to see myself in Parade that I sprung up out of bed. My mom was so full of emotion when she saw me on the cover that she began crying. We called my family, and they, along with numerous neighbors, came over to have me sign their magazines for them. We also received plenty of calls and emails from family, and family friends, from all over the country to congratulate me. The next day, my school principal, many teachers and friends wanted me to sign their copy of the magazine, which was tremendously astonishing to me.

This was one of the best things that ever happened to me, because I had become famous that day all around the United States. It was amazing to me to see my face on the cover! But, this experience also made me realize that finding a cure for MD was more important than I knew at the time. Now I want to tell people why I am in a wheelchair and what I have. Whenever we can, my family and I go to Sacramento to be on the Local MDA Telethon, which I was on in 2008 for Labor Day and also on Labor Day this year. At the time, I felt great for being on the cover of Parade Magazine. But now, I feel even better; I feel like a role model!