If you or someone you know has Muscular Dystrophy and has an inspiring story or something to share about their experience, please submit to info@marathonofreedom.com We would love to hear your story.

Synchronicity as usual | Eunice Lunsted, Dauphin, Manitoba

A man with a mission. Sonny Davis is Muscular Dystrophy’s “Terry Fox”……… Sonny gives us hope…. Hope for a cure for the devastating effects of Muscular Dystrophy. Sonny’s determination to raise awareness and monies for Muscular Dystrophy Canada moves us closer to the possibility of a cure. The name of his journey “Marathon of Freedom” is so relevant to the cause…  to be free of challenges and barriers.

My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Sonny and Twyla on the Marathon of Freedom in Winnipeg, Sunday August 29^th!!  Someone might say it was a coincidence…. But I don’t agree…. I believe God in his workings brought us together, brought Sonny to us.  We pulled up to a gas station to fill up as we usually do on our way home from Winnipeg for the 3 ½ hour trip home to Dauphin, Manitoba.  We went inside to pay for the gas and pick up a couple of drinks for the drive home.  On the way out, I noticed a van and trailer parked right beside us filling up.  I read the words on the trailer “Marathon of Freedom, a Trans Canada Journey of Transformation”, Muscular Dystrophy of Canada.   With no hesitation, I walked over to the van to inquire. Why was this so important to me?

Muscular Dystrophy is very close to our hearts.  Our son Chad Lunsted suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and recently lost his battle against the disease; passed away in January 2010 at the young age of 17 years old. Chad lived life to its fullest, with the best quality he could.  We watched the disease progress to the end stage of heart failure.  As a parent watching your child deteriorate when there is nothing you can do to stop or slow down the progression is the hardest place to be.  Your child dying before you is not the normal process of life.  I know there are many forms of Muscular Dystrophy with varying degrees of affect, but the bottom line in all forms is that there is a loss of ability to perform sometimes very simple tasks that many of us take for granted.  People shouldn’t have to live with all these challenges. I pray with Sonny’s fundraising efforts and awareness, Muscular Dystrophy’s researchers will find a cure… a cure to stop this.  I wouldn’t wish our struggles/hardships on anyone.

When I met Sonny and read about his story on-line, I was deeply touched.  Sonny is an inspiration to ALL of us…….. He faces many challenges …. And wants to make a difference.  With Sonny’s determination and passion…… Sonny is impacting many others.  Let’s support Sonny and Muscular Dystrophy Canada together!!! This man has a mission…. he is amazing and  I believe will help many Canadians affected by Muscular Dystrophy.  I pray for a safe journey, and will be following him on-line right to the end of the finish line. Here he comes Newfoundland, he’s on his way!  Thank you Sonny and team….Go Sonny Go!!

Eunice Lunsted

Dauphin, Manitoba