Evan , 5, during a recent visit to the beach.

Evan is doing great in Pre-K. Next year, I look forward to having him in my Kindergarten class. Everyday I see him becoming more independent. Two days ago, I found him in the kitchen making himself a peanut butter sandwich. He had pulled his stepping stool all the way from bathroom to the kitchen and was going to town. When he caught me looking at him, he asked if I would like one as well.

Along with his independence, we notice his motor skills and strength improving with the steroids. I saw him jump, both feet off the ground for the first time today. It was amazing. I was pretending to be the basketball hoop. He jumped up and slam dunked the ball through my arms. I don't know if he realized he had jumped. It was just effortless. I loved seeing him experience that, but at the same time, we can't encourage him to keep jumping, as the shock to his leg muscles will speed muscle degeneration.

He knows he is different. He recognizes that the other kids are stronger and are allowed to do more physical things than he. But, I know it hasn't yet stolen all his confidence in himself. Just before his Pre-K Easter egg hunt was to begin, holding his empty basket he looked up at me with his intense blue eyes and said "I'm going to win this thing".

To see Dr. Hoffman speak, click on the link below.
http://www.mda.org/research/090316dmd-exon-skipping.html

Bill meets climb team mate, Dr. Barry Byrne to share
training and fundraising strategies.

Dr. Byrne is a University of Florida Professor and Associate Chair of Pediatrics, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. He has a special interest in, and conducts cardiac research relating to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Barry is already training hard for the climb (in addition to his busy schedule at the university and hospital), and will be a great asset to our overall effort.