{"id":123022,"date":"2018-09-20T18:53:18","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T16:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/running-100-miles-for-boy-with-congenital-muscular-dystrophy\/"},"modified":"2018-09-20T18:53:18","modified_gmt":"2018-09-20T16:53:18","slug":"running-100-miles-for-boy-with-congenital-muscular-dystrophy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/running-100-miles-for-boy-with-congenital-muscular-dystrophy\/","title":{"rendered":"Running 100 miles for boy with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Running 100 miles for boy with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy<\/a>: <\/p>\n

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Dani\u00ebl Otto and Michael Dickerson Photo: Dani\u00ebl Otto<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Michael Dickerson (42) from Hoedspruit Limpopo was participating in a trail running series when he met Dani\u00ebl Otto (6), a boy suffering from Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD).<\/p>\n

CMD is a group of muscle diseases that occur at birth or during early infancy and is characterized by diminished muscle tone according to rarediseases.org.<\/p>\n

With progressive muscle weakness, a common symptom of CMD, Daniel has lost the ability to walk and stand on his own, says Marina Otto (39), Daniel\u2019s mom.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is impossible for Daniel to sit upright by himself, he is also unable to climb, crawl, walk, run or jump like regular kids and all he wants is to be just like them. But despite his many challenges he still has a playful spirit and is a really smart young man\u201d \u2013 says Marina<\/p>\n

When Michael, met Daniel, he was inspired by his positivity and bravery. Learning about his condition and the pressure his family is under to cover his extensive medical costs without medical aid, Michael wanted to help the family.<\/p>\n

Hoping to raise R161 000, Michael set up a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy and pledged to participate in the Karkloof 100, a 161 km run taking place on the 21 September 2018 in Kwa-Zulu Natal.<\/p>\n

The \u2018non-stop\u2019 trail run, which is in it\u2019s second year is the ultimate test of human endurance and participants are given a total of 36 hours to complete the course. Last year only 25 out of 46 participants managed to complete the course successfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to take on this race in honor of Daniel as he doesn\u2019t have the ability or privilege to run and enjoy the freedom he deserves. The Karkloof 100 is symbolic of the struggles he has faced in his short life and the perseverance he shows on a daily basis. I hope to be as brave as him one day\u201d \u2013 says Michael<\/p>\n

The campaign went live on the 23 of July 2018 and has thus far raised R 16 550.57 with contributions from 21 donors.<\/p>\n

Funds raised through the \u2018Lion Heart\u2019 BackaBuddy campaign will be used to enhance Daniel\u2019s quality of life and purchase specialized equipment to help improve Dani\u00ebl’s mobility.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine what this family is going through and the pressure they must feel as their medical bills become astronomically more expensive. I hope the public will support my BackaBuddy campaign for this tenacious young man\u201d \u2013 says Michael<\/p>\n

Michael will be carrying Daniel\u2019s photo with him for courage as he takes on the Karkloof 100. When he expressing his pre-race nerves to Dani\u00ebl, he was met with the perfect response. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be scared, Michael, because I am not scared at all\u201d said Dani\u00ebl<\/p>\n

Dani\u00ebl still has a chance of a ‘normal’ life and lifespan and depending on increased mobility, doctors might be able to elongate his tendons in an attempt to get him walking again.<\/p>\n

Support Dani\u00ebl by donating here:
https:\/\/www.backabuddy.co.za\/daniel-the-lion-heart<\/p>\n

BackaBuddy is a proudly South African crowdfunding platform where individuals have the opportunity to raise funds for causes they feel passionate about.<\/p>\n

BackaBuddy has raised over R75.7 million for various charities, individuals and causes across South Africa.<\/p>\n

Website: https:\/\/www.backabuddy.co.za\/
Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BackabuddySA<\/p>\n

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