Last Thursday my sweet wife stood before Riverton High School’s student body and thanked them for supporting Mitchell’s Journey.
Natalie spoke on behalf of all mothers of DMD; she described how scary it can be and how she wants to help other mothers who see their child's fate and don't know what to do. When it was my turn to say something, I thanked them for their incredible example and for helping us help others. I told them I have seen a lot of things in my life, but I have never seen something quite like them.
After our short address these students rose to their feet and clapped with thunderous applause. There was an energy in that room that was humbling and at the same time electrifying. It was clear by their energy something inside them changed – or perhaps, their true goodness was simply being revealed. To them it wasn't about the money ... it was about the change.
These students have raised the bar for humanity. This is the rising generation. A generation that cares.#SilverRush2015 raised $130,019 for Mitchell's Journey.
In the coming months we’ll share where that money is going. We plan to support PPMD, MDA, some local families as well as continuing to help with education and awareness.
Above all, Mitchell’s Journey is about more than the disease that took my son's life ... is a journey of hope, help, and healing.
For those who live in the greater Salt Lake area, Mitchell's Journey is hosting a Star Wars movie event TOMORROW Saturday, December 19th at 3:20 PM. It will be held at the Jordan Commons theater in Sandy. We have invited a host of DMD families to come for free so they can enjoy the much-anticipated movie together.
We still have tickets available for those want to join us. If you are interested, you can contact info@mitchellsjourney.org.
About 15 minutes prior to the movie (around 3:05 PM) we will show a short presentation with highlights of 2015: what Mitchell's Journey accomplished, what we did to support PPMD, MDA and some local families with DMD as well as other important milestones in our journey to help others. We will also share our plans for 2016. There will be a very special thing shared during this short overview that I can't wait for these kids to see.
It should be a great event in memory of Mitch and in aid to families who struggle to find hope. If you can, please join us.
Natalie handing out #milesformitchell shirts to construction workers who are working on a very special project for a very special DMD family. This is #mitchellsjourney in action.
We may not be able to save lives, but we can make lives special for those who carry heavy burdens.
I'll post more about this project on instagram.com/mitchells_journey/
My beautiful daughter volunteered to be an MDA counselor this summer. This is the little boy she was assigned to be with all week. He is totally and completely adorable. My daughter, knowing his fate, does all she can to help him enjoy ... everything. A few moments after shooting this photo I happened to film them as he tried to fix her hair. I could tell he really felt safe around her and wanted to reciprocate her loving kindness.
There is something magical about service. I have a deep suspicion that most of what troubles the world today could be solved if we all stopped and took time to serve one another. Not necessarily because the act of service will change the life of the recipients as much as it changes the life of the giver. The more we give the more we change. It seems to me that the world has it all backwards: we do not change the world by trying to change it. We can only change the world by changing ourselves, from within. The world is merely an outward reflection of our inward convictions; and the fastest way to change us from within is to serve others.