Dwayne and his mom are serious about his dreams and fulfilling as many as they can.
Posted on 08/03/2004 12:59:44 PM PDT by Wolfstar
SYLACAUGA — His name is Dwayne, he's 16 and he is dying of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the type of muscular dystrophy that destroys its victims early in life.
Dwayne's mother, Julie Crouch of Sylacauga, said she noticed when her son was 3-years-old there was something wrong with the way he walked. She took him to a doctor and he was diagnosed with MD.
Dwayne has been confined to a wheelchair since age 8.
The happy, young fellow is quick to tell you he is not going to die. He insists he is going to live and take care of his mother.
But with a wistful look on his face, he also says there are a lot of things he wants to do before he gets too weak to do anything.
For starters, he wants to go to Disney World, and relatives have made arrangements for him and his mother to go. Julie Crouch said they won't have much money to spend when they get there, but if she can just get him inside so he can see the Disney characters, that's all that matters. His frail body is already too weak to go on any of the rides.
Dwayne wants to go in an airplane, and smiles when he says he has always wanted to fly.
But his wish list doesn't end there.
He's a NASCAR fan and loves Jeff Gordon, No. 24, and Jimmy Johnson, No. 48. He wants to go to the races while he still can.
He loves Alabama football and has always wanted to see his favorite team play. "And when he wishes, he reaches for the moon," Julie Crouch laughed. "Not only does he want to see Alabama play, but he wants to meet the players," she said.
Julie Crouch has a serious look on her face when she says, "I know I can't possibly find a way to do all the things he wants to do, but I am going to do just as many as I possibly can, before he gets too sick.”
Her hopes and dreams are that somewhere there are people who might lend her a hand in making some of her son's dreams come true.
"I've never asked for help before," she said, "But a mother will do anything for her child."
Dwayne's father left them when Dwayne was 5 and they've never received any child support. Julie Crouch has always worked to supplement Dwayne's Social Security check and his Medicaid. She worked at night when it was easier for other family members to stay with him.
Dwayne has attended school through Indian Valley's special education program, and was scheduled to enter Sylacauga High School this fall, but his doctor has told his mother he is too weak now to attend classes all day.
Dwayne is also an Atlanta Braves fan, and Chipper Jones is his favorite player. When he watches basketball, he cheers for Shaquille O’Neal.
He loves watching sports on television, and plays games on a Game Boy for short periods of time, sitting in a special made chair. His mother says he now spends most of his time on the couch or in his bed.
A special brace has been built for his body so that his mother can lift him to and from their truck to his wheelchair.
Dwayne is a happy, young man who smiles all the time. He is a typical country boy who says his favorite foods are black-eyed peas, turnip greens, pork chops and chocolate ice cream.
With bright eyes and a big smile, he declares, "God is not going to let me die." His mother smiles at her only child and replies, "If we all had as much faith as Dwayne, this would be a wonderful world."
"NR", maybe you can ping the NASCAR FReepers. Never know if someone out there can help this kid.
Afterall, they themselves are in the best position to provide this brave boy his dream.
Just an FYI ping. The kid is dying from muscular dystrophy. Sounds like the mother is a real hero for making a go of it even though the father took off. Don't know if there's any way the FReeper family can help this kid, being a religious, NASCAR-loving kid, he sounds like one of ours.
I'm going to send them an E-Mail with a link.
I came across this on a Jeff Gordon fan website, so maybe the word is spreading among the NASCAR rank-and-file. Just thought I'd post it here, too, just in case someone out there can help the kid.
Thanks, ChefKeith. That's a great idea.
The mother needs to contact the Pettys at the victory junction gang camp.
Think I'll send the Pettys an e-mail myself as well.
I would suggest they set up a PayPal account. I would be happy to send them some money.
I regularly run into Jeremiah Castille, former Alabama player. He is head of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the Univ. of Alabama. I'll make sure he knows about this...
Sent and waiting for reply
Sent and waiting for reply
He lives in Sylacauga and he wants to go to a NASCAR race? Shoot, he lives just south of the Talladega Superspeedway! (note the article is from the Talladega newspaper)
It shouldn't be that hard to arrange for him to go to a race there. Next one is in October.
Any Freepers out there from Birmingham? Somebody there in Dixieland could easily makes this happen.
Dwayne and his mom are serious about his dreams and fulfilling as many as they can.
Sorry for the double ping/post My connection has been wigging out the last few days
I just called the reporter with your suggestions about the Victory Junction Gang organization. She is going to pass the info on to the family.
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