Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Most valuable player: Muscular dystrophy can't keep boy from football

O'FALLON -- No. 33 appeared to be the O'Fallon Little Panthers football team's most valuable player at Sunday night's game -- almost as valuable as the touchdown he scored was to him.

Those in the stands and on the sidelines cheered and applauded Tyrek Newson, a 10-year-old from Washington Park, as members of the Little Panthers pushed his wheelchair into the end zone for the touchdown, an achievement that his muscular dystrophy makes difficult for him to do on his own.

His mother, Alana Newson, said while she had no words to describe how much the touchdown meant to her son, it was evidence that good things can come from bad situations.

"It showed that even though you're born with a life-threatening disease, it doesn't stop you from enjoying every day of your life," she said.

Tyrek was diagnosed with a type of the disease known as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD, when he was 9 months old. Newson said the disease causes Tyrek's muscles to "waste away," limiting his ability to use his arms and legs and leaving him with a life expectancy in his mid-20s.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, DMD primarily affects boys who inherit the disease from their mothers who can be carriers without ever showing any symptoms.

Newson said she is a carrier and Tyrek contracted the disease at birth. The youngest of three sons, a 6-month-old, was just diagnosed last month.

Tyrek, whose mother described him as an avid football fan, was able to fulfill his dream of scoring a touchdown with the help of Helping Hands Medical Transportation and the Make A Wish Foundation.

"Make A Wish is so proud to be a part of this and we're going to continue to grant wishes to kids who have life-threatening illnesses," said C.J. Jackson, of the foundation.

Head Coach Eddy Harkins said since he and his staff volunteer their time solely to benefit youths, Tyrek's participation in the game was something they supported wholeheartedly.

"When we can help a boy who doesn't have the opportunity to be involved like this, we think we're doing our job," Harkins said.

He said Tyrek's touchdown was also a lesson for his players because it showed them "the ability for them to play the way they play is a lot more fragile than they think."

For Tyrek, who was all smiles after leaving the field, it provided an optimistic outlook on the future.

"I'm playing football tomorrow," he shouted to his mother as he exited the field.