Story by Mattia Cattelan

I am taking all the way it comes – I can’t change it anyway

Hallo ich bin der Mattia, bin 17 Jahre und wohne in der Schweiz in Münchenstein (Kanton Baselland). Ich bin glücklich, dass ich in der Zeit geboren wurde, wo die Hilfsmitteltechnik ausgereift ist und ich damit relativ selbständig sein kann. Ich habe einen schnellen Rollstuhl mit dem ich täglich in die Schule fahren kann. So bin ich bei jedem Wetter unterwegs und stärke meine Gesundheit.
Mit meinem Telefon kann ich Voicemails schicken und brauche damit nicht schreiben- das erleichtert mir die Kommunikation mit meinen Freunden. Den Lift kann ich über eine Fernsteuerung bedienen, zum Telefonieren benutze ich mein Headset.
Mit all dem fühle ich mich sehr wohl. Ich liebe die Basler Fasnacht und bin als eigene Fasnachtslarve unterwegs. Da bin ich der Duchenne-Waggis und keiner kennt mich und keiner sieht auf den ersten Blick, dass da ein Behinderter drunter ist. Das ist echt cool! Würde ich für jedes gemachte Foto 5 Franken bekommen, hätte ich viel Geld verdient. Meine Freunde haben mir eine Facebookseite gestaltet und so können alles Fasnachtsbegeisterten den Duchenne-Waggis an der Basler Fasnacht begleiten. Meine zweite Leidenschaft ist E-hockey. Wenn ich ein tolles E-Hockey Training mit meinen Teamkollegen hatte und fertig nach hause komme, dann bin ich mega zufrieden. Wir trainieren seit fast 2 Jahren zusammen und konnten schon an zwei Turnieren teilnehmen. Am E-Hockey fasziniert mich, dass ich mit meinem Sportrollstuhl ganz wendig bin, und schnell reagieren kann, und alle gleich stark sind. Das Training ist sehr anstrengend, aber mein Ziel ist, in der schweizer Nationalmannschaft zu spielen. Manchmal ist es schon schwierig im Rollstuhl zu sitzen und nicht alles so zu können wie mein Bruder, aber ich habe mich daran gewöhnt und
nehme alles wie es kommt- ändern kann ich es sowieso nicht.


Hello I am Mattia, I am 17 years old and I am living in Switzerland in Münchenstein (Area Basel Land). I am happy that I was born in a time when aid technology is quite well and so I move and organize myselfe quite independent. I have a quick wheelchair with which I can drive to school every day. So I am on the road with any type of weather and this does strengthen my health. With my phone I can send voicemails and therefore it’s not necessary to write text messages –so this is the easiest way for me to communicate with my friends. For using the elevator I use a remote control, to make phone calls I’m using my headset. With all this, I feel very comfortable. I love the Basel Fasnacht and I take part with my own “mask”. I am the “Duchenne Waggis” and nobody knows me and no one sees at first glance that there is a disabled person underneath. That’s really cool! Would I have asked 5 francs for each picture taken, I would now have a lot of money. My friends did made a Facebook page for this and so every carnival enthusiast can accompany Duchenne Waggis at the Basler Fasnacht. My second passion is E-hockey, electric wheelchair hockey. When I have had a great e-hockey training with my teammates and got home, I’m really happy. We train together for almost 2 years and have been able to take part in two tournaments. E-hockey fascinates me, I am very agile with my sports wheelchair, I can respond quickly, and everyone is equally strong. The training is very stressful, but my goal is to play in the Swiss national team. Sometimes it’s difficult to sit in a wheelchair and not beeing able to do anything what I would like to do, like my brother, but I got used to it. I am taking all the way it comes – I can’t change it anyway.

Story by Mohamed Tayeb

Je suis Mohamed, j’ai 10 ans et je vis a m’sila dans l’est de l’Algérie. Je vais a l’école en compagnie de mon père parce que j’ai des difficultés a me déplacé tous seule, j’aime la nature et la mer. Mon plus grand souhait c’est que les chercheurs trouve un traitement pour guérir les malades du monde entier qui ont la Dystrophie Musculaire de Duchenne.


I’m Mohamed, I am 10 years old and I live in m’sila in easthern Algéria. My dad goes to school with me, because I have difficulties moving by myself. I love nature and the sea. My greatest wish is that researchers find a cure for patients worldwide who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Story by Gianmario Fortunato

Mi chiamo Gianmario Fortunato ho 34 anni sono della provincia di Brescia. Ho la DMD diagnosticata all’ età di 6 anni, ho camminato fino a 11 anni. Ho due grandi sogni, il primo è una vita senza DMD se non per me almeno per i bambini che la hanno e per quelli che nasceranno, il secondo è quello di trovare l’amore puro, avere figli, una vita pseudo normale. Tutta la mia infanzia è stata meravigliosa nonostante la dmd e le esperienze preferite che ho vissuto, sono state avere fatto un giro in elicottero ed su una Ferrari F40 a 200 km/h, due esperienze con andrenalina pura. La mia visione delle cose mi porta a pensare che se potessi cambiare qualcosa nel mondo, cambierei la sensibilità delle persone. Vorrei un mondo come una volta, come quello dei nostri nonni, dove si viveva con le porte aperte e se un vicino aveva bisogno lo aiutavi . Vorrei un mondo dove la gente che non fa nulla per nessuno e parla male e critica per invidia, capisse il vero senso del silenzio della non critica ma solo collaborazione .. Vorrei un mondo con meno gente arrabbiata perché la vita è una sola!


My name is Gianmario Fortunato; I’m 34 and I live near Brescia, in Northern Italy. I was diagnosed with DMD when I was 6 and I was able to walk until the age of 11. My dream would be a life without DMD; if not for me, at least for little children who are being diagnosed now and for the ones still to be born. My other dream is to find my true love, to have kids, a pseudo-normal life. My childhood was amazing, in spite of my DMD and my favorite experiences in my life have been had a helicopter tour, and another time I had the chance to ride a Ferrari F40 at 240 km/hour – these were experiences filled with pure adrenaline. My vision of life leads me to think that if I could change something in the world, I would like to change people’s sensitivity. I’d like to live in a world more similar to our grandparents’ one, when people used to leave their doors open and to help one’s neighbor if he was in need. I’d like to live in a world in which people who usually don’t help others and criticize those who do that (out of envy for them) could understand the value of silence and collaboration and stop badmouthing other people. I would like people to live less angrily, because you only live once!

Story by Shyam Sunder

Shyam has a passion for animals, especially pets. He loves dogs, cats, pups, kittens and of course birds. Shyam cannot pass by without hugging a cute kitten which crosses his way. Well, he says, it is not the kittens and puppies alone that fascinate him, but it is in general the animal kingdom. He feels they have equal rights to live in this world and must be honoured for what they are. They should never be hurt or left uncared. They haves lives too like us …says Shayam. Moving from the pets he goes on to the ferocious wild jungle inhabitants too. He says the tigers are nothing less than our best friends. It is as important as our best friends in the school or neighborhood. It is so alarming that they are dwindling in number and there is no one to pause for a moment to think about them. The majestic white tigers of the Sunderbans in India are a pride to the country itself. They are too less in number too. They are hardly visible these days. Shyam very emotionally touching his heart asks us … do you know why this is happening? The reason is quite simple. It is because of the scarcity of trees and forests which is due to deforestation and scarcity of water bodies. It is our duty to take care of these loving animals. The more love we show them, the more attracted they are towards us. So let us start loving animals. Please do not kill animals, they are close to my heart and soon make them your friends and they will be close to your heart too.

As all other boys, I love to play and jump and be a tom boy, though not much these days as my activities are restricted, but the moment I see my friends over the fence or with a cricket bat, I intend to pick up one start my play. It is all the confidence that the people around me have given till today. Without pets or animals my only company and passion is playing outdoors. I wish each day is a Sunday and I can be happy playing all day with my friends and cherish those memories all my life. I just love what I am doing…. Friends always be happy and do something that you like to make your self happy …. This is the bottomline of Shyam sunder’s heart. Most of the time, Shyam is with his grand mother who best takes care of him and so he includes her as one of his best friends. The picture shows Shyam with his grand mom.

Story by Juan Ángel Olmedo Hernández

Soy Juan Ángel Olmedo Hernández, tengo 24 años de edad, soy una persona tranquila y amable puedo entablar conversación con cualquier persona. Tengo una familia maravillosa, mi madre es mi principal motor, mi padre en paz descanse era el mejor y siempre me sacaba adelante, me dio todo lo que pudo y aun lo hace cada día pues intercede por mí, tengo 5 hermanas a las que quiero y me quieren mucho, yo soy muy sociable, me gusta mucho la música, mi genero preferido es la banda, le sigue electrónica y después todo los géneros, puedo escuchar de todo, toco el teclado y quiero tocar guitarra, estoy en un grupo llamado Big Boy´s donde los demás integrantes también son parte de ADMO estoy escribiendo 2 canciones una habla de amor otra de superación y un corrido que habla de mi.Soy muy positivo y por las cosas que he vivido soy una persona muy fuerte emocionalmente. Siempre me mantengo activo, dibujo y vendo dibujos, se coser, me gusta inventar cosas, me gusta cantar canciones de banda y una que otra romántica, me gusta salir a pasear a plazas, cines y bares, me fascina jugar FIFA, Xbox, o Play station, en deportes adoro el futbol, le sigue el tenis y futbol americano, mi equipo favorito es el América de México, el Real Madrid de España y el chelsy de Inglaterra, en futbol americano le voy a las águilas de filadelfia. En tenis en las damas me gusta Caroline Whosniaki, y Ana Sharapova, y soy fan de Novak Djokovic.
Me gustan las muchachas, las güeritas, me gusta tomarme fotos con toda muchacha guapa que llego a conocer, y me gusta tratarlas lo mejor que pueda, sacarles platica y conversar se me facilita, me gustan las pelis de acción, me fascinan los autos, la velocidad, las motos, me gustan las bebidas como las piñas coladas, sex on the beach, el vodka, el new mix, vampiros, buchannans, me gusta organizar reuniones para jugar domino o baraja, cotorrear, me gusta conversar con las personas, algunas veces les doy consejos, me gusta comer panditas, gomitas ja, ja, ja, me gusta mucho la arrachera y la cecina, acompañado de un buen puré o cualquier tipo de papa, al ornó o a la francesa, uso mucho el face y whatsapp para platicar con amistades, amigas, amigos, familia. Quiero hacer varias cosas que en mi vida serian muy agradables vivirlas. Poco a poco se que llegaran, y a lo mejor se darán y si no se dan, por lo menos lo intentare. Estas cosas que quiero hacer no son imposibles pero se ocupa apoyo, quisiera ir de antro, ir al estadio azteca y conocer a jugadores del América, subirme a un Lamborghini que es mi auto favorito, pasear en un crusser convertible, subirme a un Camaro, tener un auto de control remoto un lamborghini. Quisiera estudiar algo referente con dibujo. Tengo en mente y quiero realizar unos proyectos que yo cree. Conocer a Maite perrony y a Julion Alvarez. Algún día si Dios me lo permite pretendo casarme en Cancún, je, je, claro encontrar a la afortunada, ja,ja.


My name is Juan Angel Olmedo Hernandez, I´m 24, I describe myself as quiet and kind person and I am sure I could talk with anyone. I have a wonderful family, my mother is my main driver, my father has passed away; he was the best and usually, he drags me out from my solitude and did what he could. I will always keep him in my heart. He still is watching for me from heaven. I have 5 sisters that I love and they do love me back. I am easy-going and I like people and music. First Sinaloan Banda, second techno, and then anything, I can listen all; I play the keybords and want to learn guitar. I have a band, “Big Boys”, and all we are part of ADMO. I am writing some songs, one is about love, other is about the will of encourage and other about me.

I am very positive and by personal experience, emotionally strong; always active I sale my drawings, I like to sing, inventing things, walk, go to the movies and have a drink or two, even know stitching. I play videogames, Xbox or PS, love FIFA15. In sports I follow Soccer, Tennis and Football. My Teams: America (México), Real Madrid (spain) and Chelsea (UK), NFL Philadelphia Eagles. I am fan of Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic.

I like “güeritas” (blondies), take selfies with all pretty girl I know; I always treat them with respect, chat is easy for me. My favorites are the action movies, I love all about cars, speed, motorcycles; my drinks, “piña colada”, “sex on the beach”, vodka and whisky. I organize poker or domino meetings with friends. Sometimes I gave them my advice. I love gummy bears, meat with mash potato, French Fries. I use a lot Facebook and WhatsApp to maintain contact with family and friends.

I would like to do many things, experience them, and I know I eventually will but if not, I will try. To reach these things I need help. I want to go to a discotheque, visit the “Estadio Azteca”, know the players of my soccer team, America, at Mexico City, ride in my favorite car, Lamborghini, and ride a convertible Camaro and have a RC Car. I want to study something about Draw and Design. I want to reach and develop some projects that I have in mind. I want to know some Mexican artists like Mayte Perrioni, Juilion Alvarez and many more.

Someday, if God bless me and I find the right-one, I will marry her at Cancun. LOL.

Story by Gilberto Alcaraz González

Me llamo Gilberto Alcaraz González, tengo 12 años, y tengo dos hermanos que se llaman Carlos y Fátima, somos triates, con mis hermanos me la llevo bien, aunque a veces peleamos mucho. Soy muy ocurrente y divertido me gusta mucho platicar. Uno de mis mejores amigos se llama Sergio, con él juego “carreritas” en nuestras sillas de ruedas eléctricas. Sergio y yo somos beneficiarios de ADMO A.C y asistimos ahí todos los miércoles. Me gusta jugar PSP mis juegos favoritos son de carreras, me gusta mucho ver televisión, las caricaturas como “Un show más”, animal planet. La materia que más me gusta es Ciencias Naturales y odio las matemáticas. Me encantan las quesadillas pero el aguacate no me gusta para nada. También me gusta mucho la música, el género que más me gusta es el rock clásico, mi grupo favorito “The Beatles”. Mi sueño, es ser mostrador de carros en una agencia de Porsche. También me gustaría ser diseñador automotriz, todo lo que tiene que ver con carros me llama la atención. Me gustan mucho los animales, principalmente los animales exóticos. El cine es de mis lugares favoritos para salir, principalmente cuando son películas de acción, también me gusta salir con mi familia, con mis primos y tios, la playa me gusta mucho, quisiera ir más seguido y que pudiera ir toda mi familia.


My name is Gilberto Alcaráz González, I am 12 and have a brother and sister who are Carlos and Fátima, we are triplets. We play most of the time, tough as any brothers we fight sometimes. I am funny and sometimes I am a menace; I like to talk a lot. I have a very good friend, Sergio, which I play races with to see who is faster in ours electric wheelchairs. Sergio and I attend ADMO every Wednesday. I love to play my PSP games, mostly car racing, watch TV, cartoons like “A more show” and Animal Planet. The subject I like most is Natural Science and I hate Math. I like “quesadillas” but avocado is something I don’t like at all. In addition, I enjoy Music, my favorite genre is classic rock, “The Beatles” is my favorite band. My dream is to be a Porsche dealer, also I want to be a car designer, and everything about cars caught my attention. I love animals, especially exotic ones. One of my favorites hobbies is going to the movies, in particular if is an action movie. I like a lot going out with my family, cousins and relatives. Beach is a place where I enjoy going, but I would like to be there more often with all the family.

Story by Raymundo Uribe Cruz

Hola, me llamo Raymundo, tengo 13 años y tengo distrofia muscular de Duchenne. A veces me pongo triste porque no puedo hacer muchas cosas que me gustan, pero luego se me pasa. Me gustan mucho los videojuegos y las niñas. Soy muy alegre a pesar de mi condición, tengo muchas ganas de vivir y no me doy por vencido. Apoyanos para que haya más dinero para estudiar más esta enfermedad. Somos muchos niños que estamos así.

Story by Jorge Mancera Reyes

Hola! Soy Jorge Mancera Reyes, tengo 18 años. Desde los 12 deje de caminar pues tengo Distrofia Muscular Duchenne. Actualmente curso la preparatoria en el sistema abierto. Mi sueño estudiar la universidad y terminar la carrera en física para después ser astrónomo.

La foto es con Nani un ex jugador del Manchester United, fue en Guadalajara Jalisco y estuvieron otros amigos con distrofia. Fue en el año 2010. Esta foto es un ejemplo de que no hay limites si queremos hacer algo.

Saludos desde México!


Hello! I am Jorge Mancera Reyes, I am 18 years old. I have Duchenne muscular dystrophy and I stopped walking when I was 12 years old. At this moment I go to a public high school. My dream is to study physics at university and to become an astronomer.

The picture is with Nani, a former player of Manchester United. It was with other friends with dystrophy in Guadalajara Jalisco, in 2010. This picture is an example of if you truly want something, there are no limits. 

Greetings from Mexico!

Story by Max Lindvall

Jag heter Max och ska snart fylla 8 år. Jag bor med min mamma, pappa och vår hund Buzz i Sverige. Det bästa jag vet är att spela spel på min iPad och på mitt Playstation. Just nu spelar jag Guitar Hero och en massa hårdrockslåtar. Min dag börjar vid 7-tiden då jag gör min sjukgymnastik och sedan äter mina mediciner med frukosten. Sedan kör mina föräldrar mig till skolan där jag har en assistent som är med mig hela skoldagen och på fritids. Jag gillar matematik och logik men har svårare för att läsa och skriva. På rasterna leker ha med mina klasskompisar och förflyttar mig med min elrullstol. Mina föräldrar hämtar mig efter skolan och sedan avslutar vi dagen med sjukgymnastik och tar på mina benortoser som jag sover med. Min största dröm är att gå åka på en Disney kryssningsbåt och åka i deras häftiga vattenrutschbana.


I am Max and I will soon turn 8 years old. I live with my mom, dad and our dog Buzz in Sweden. I love to play games on my iPad or on my Playstation. Right now I play the game Guitar Hero and a whole lot of hard rock music. My day starts at around 7 in the morning. My parents do my physiotherapy on me and after that I eat breakfast and take all my medicines. My parents drive me to school where I meet my school assistant who is with me all school day. I like math and logics but I find reading and writing difficult. On breaks I play with my school mates and drive my power wheelchair. My parents pick me up after school and I end the day by my parents doing another set of physiotherapy on me and I put on my orthosis that I sleep in. My biggest dream is to go on a Disney cruise ship and go on their awesome water slide.

Story by Jesús Mojardin Agabo

Hola soy Jesús Mojardin Agabo , tengo 12 años , Vivo en el Estado de México, tengo 2 hermanos, uno mas grande y el otro mas pequeño que yo, soy el de en medio. Actualmente ya no puedo caminar , voy en segundo año de secundaria. Me gusta jugar mucho con mi primo yo en la silla y el de pie , jugamos futbool y me divierto mucho. Me gusta jugar con coches , ir al cine , ver películas jugar con la tablet . Quiero comprarme un Xbox y tener un PSP para jugar con mi primo en su casa . Quiero curarme de mis pies y que pueda ser corredor de autos.