Skyers is 7 years old and was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 when he was almost three years old.  He has never been able to support his weight in standing and requires a wheel chair, braces, and much more equipment. This disease is a genetic condition that is a degenerating muscle disease and is systemic. When he was 4 years old he began a vigorous training program that involved muscle isolation and building in hopes to work against the degeneration and build as well as maintain muscle mass. At this same time his mother told her son’s Physical Therapist that her goal for Skyers’ was to get him walking with braces and a walker. The physical therapist then advised his mom that this would be almost impossible and to do so, there would be a lot of work ahead.  She claimed that she had never encountered any other children with Skyers’ same disease and type that could walk with a walker in their braces.
       Embracing the challenge, Ladette and Skyers went to work.  Skyers now walks with the walker while in his leg braces and can swim independently without any type of floatation assistance. He has increased muscle mass as well as range of motion and has much more energy and independence. Skyers additionally shows muscle definition now in his legs and abdomen. He is sick less often and when he does get sick, recovers much more rapidly.  Skyers has shocked his doctors, family, and therapists with the significant improvements that he has made in this very short time  overcoming many of the limitations imposed by his disease. His accomplishments are so great that even a Pediatric Neurologist thought Skyers looked too healthy for a child diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2, and requested his mother Ladette to fax Skyer’s DNA analysis confirming his diagnosis.
      Skyers workout routine not only works, but has proven essential to his health.  It has provided a pathway to maintain a strong enough body for greater mobility and health. Additionally in doing so, it has provided hope for further scientific developments in a cure for SMA, with either stem cell, medicines, or event technological advances of the future.