Fight For Life Continues: 12-Year-Old’s Mind Perseveres As His Body Weakens

Jonathan Weygand is now a 12-year-old seventh grader who’s brave fight against muscular dystrophy continues.

It began when he was just a baby.

Jonathan didn’t want to crawl——because of the pain.

These days Jonathan is into computers, internet research and science.

We first met jonathan several years back at MDA’s camp ASCCA.

We fell in love with his courage, his contagious smile and his love for life.

Now, like the school work, life is a little harder, but Jonathan still seizes each day. He loves junior high - especially science class.

Paleontology is Jonathan’s passion.

“Dinosaurs are prehistoric, but technically they’re not prehistoric beasts. Prehistoric beasts are mostly mammals and birds,“ explains Jonathan.

Jonathan’s mind is strong - but slowly - his disease is taking a bigger toll. Jonathan’s handwriting is deteriorating as his muscles weaken, but where his body is slipping, determination is kicking in and will power is giving him strength.

“As sad as it is to say, there are a lot of kids who are his age that are not as well off as he is. As bad as it is, it could be a whole lot worse,“ says Jonathan’s dad, John Weygand.

John Weygand refuses to give up. He encourages his son everyday…. putting off the motorized wheelchair so Jonathan can get as much exercise as possible.

“Perseverance. I have to keep pushing him - he is a kid,“ says Weygand.
Right now, Jonathan is on steroids and other rounds of medicines aimed at keeping him from regressing any further. Both father and son believe a better solution is just right around the corner.

“They’re very close to an actual full-fledged treatment that will add longevity and that’s the important part,“ says Weygand.

So for now, the Weygands will keep pushing and fighting and dreaming that a cure is on the horizon.

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon airs on NBC 13 HD News on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2008. We’ll see you there!