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Family always manages to 'make
it through' with five kids with muscular dystrophy
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By Cameron Salony
February 7, 2008 | Sterling Wyatt's kindergarten
teacher always kept a close eye on him. She had
a feeling that he was different from the others
kids in her class. At various times he would fall
down on the playground. Why did this 6-year-old
boy seem to lose his balance? Why did it happen
so often? Once her concern peaked, she called
Sterling's parents.
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FOOLIN'
AROUND: Sterling, left, tries to avoid
Christian's ominous "bunny ears" as
they travel on the Wyatt family bus. / Photo
courtesy of Amie Wyatt |
As a precaution, Amie and Craig Wyatt took their boy
to see a doctor. At first, the doctor said that everything
looked normal. Then after a barrage blood tests, a specialist
in Helena, Mont. diagnosed Sterling with Duchenne muscular
dystrophy (DMD).
A few weeks later, the Wyatt's second oldest son,
Christian, was diagnosed with DMD at the age of 4. They
would eventually have a total of five children with
DMD.
"At first we went through the mourning process like
someone had died," Amie said, "But then it just becomes
normal and you just move on."
DMD is a neuromuscular disease that causes general
muscle weakness in the pelvis, upper arms, and upper
legs. Those with DMD progressively lose muscle function,
physical mobility, and eventual become unable to walk.
The Wyatt's have eight kids: Sterling, 17, Christian,
15, Lincoln, 13, Jane, 11, Lily, 8, Gabriel, 7, Noel,
2, and Winston, 6 months. Both Gabriel and Winston were
diagnosed with DMD shortly after their birth.
"Sterling shocked us!" Amie said, "But we were well-prepared
for the last three boys."
The North Logan family travels in a "Call-a-Ride"
bus they purchased from the city partly to fit all 10
of them and partly to conveniently transport both Sterling's
and Christian's wheelchair.
The Wyatts enjoy attending Utah State volleyball games,
sledding, and playing at Lunstrom Park.
Sterling and Christian annually attend the Muscular
Dystrophy Association (MDA) summer camp. The camp gives
those with neuromuscular diseases a chance to participate
in outdoor events. Each year the duo collect belly laughs
with their comedy act during the talent show portion
of the camp.
Sterling first attended the Salt Lake City camp in
1997. At the time the family was living in Montana and
traveled over 400 miles from Bozeman to Salt Lake to
attend.
The boys have also participated in Logan City parades
with fire fighters. Every year Utah fire fighters team
with MDA to "fill their boots" with donations to raise
money and awareness for more than 1,300 Utah residents
like the Wyatt boys living with neuromuscular diseases.
"Every time something changes, it just throws everything
into chaos," Amie said, "But with the support of our
family, our church and others we always make it through."
Both boys attend InTech Collegiate High School at
USU. Upon graduation the boys hope to have two years
of college completed. Sterling has aspirations to be
a writer. He has already written four short stories
to date. Christian has his heart on being a filmmaker.
Both boys are in the middle of writing their first novels.
Both are potential future Aggies.
Perhaps in the future you or someone you know will
read a book or watch a movie. It may change the way
you think about yourself or your surroundings. Perhaps
it will make you laugh or tug at your heart. It may
be worth your time to see if it is the work of the Wyatt
boys.
MS
MS
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