Kid Captain’s Positive Attitude Shines Through Incurable Disorder
This Saturday afternoon, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be taking on Ohio State for the big 'Blackout Game' (check out the new jerseys HERE). But it wouldn't be a Hawkeye game without a Kid Captain! This week's Kid Captain is 13-year-old Logan Manderfield of Waucoma, Iowa.
Logan's parents noticed that he wasn't hitting his developmental milestones when he was just one-year-old, so they took him to go see a doctor in Iowa City. The doctor told them that if he wasn't walking in three months, to bring him back in. Still no progress five months later, Logan was given a blood test at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The very next day, he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. According to the UI Children's website, "Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rapidly progressive genetic disorder that causes muscles to degenerate and become weak." Unfortunately, there is no cure for DMD, but the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital is a Certified Duchenne Care Center. Their main goal is to improve care for people who have the disorder, with Logan participating in a clinical trial in order to help other people like him.
Once a month, Logan and his family drive two hours to Iowa City for various tests and assessments and an IV infusion. He also takes heart and corticosteroid medications and undergoes monthly physical therapy, in addition to meeting with his care team. Logan currently has some difficulty walking and standing, and his muscles will continue to weaken over time. Despite all of this, his parents say he rarely complains and he continues to inspire those around him.
Logan sounds like he is VERY deserving of his Kid Captain position, and we wish him the best of luck on Saturday!
To read more about Logan's story, click HERE.
[Via UI Children's]