Teen uses optimism as medicine; works for muscular dystrophy cure

By Stacy Jacobson sjacobson@abcnews4.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) -- For Caleb Sizemore, 16, some loads are a struggle. Caleb was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 7.

"Sometimes it's just coming to the realization that you won't live as long. But you just have to make the best of what you've got," he said.

"He loses his muscle strength over time. It makes him weaker than most kids. Makes him, he has to take a battery of medicines," Caleb's father Richard Sizemore said.

The Academic Magnet junior is on the school crew team, but he's also part of Caleb's Cure Team.

"It's important to raise [money] because it goes to research for people who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I have a mild form of it, but a lot of people have a lot worse symptoms and they need to be cured," Caleb said.

It's a grown-up outlook for a boy who's had to grow up faster than most.

He's raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to find a treatment, or even a cure.

"I've learned a great deal from Caleb. Caleb's one of my heroes," his father said.

"It makes me feel honored and it makes me want to help others going through Duchenne muscular dystrophy to be able to cope with it better and with other disabilities. Your outlook really has an impact on that," Caleb said.

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Teen uses optimism as medicine; works for muscular dystrophy cure