Hello, my name is Vlad Ayriyan, I am 24 years old. I was diagnosed when I was 9 years old and was wheelchair bound at the age of 16. I live in the best city in the world, San Diego. I was born in Armenia and that is where my family is from. I used to love playing sports, especially basketball but as the disease progressed I had to adapt to not being able to play the sport that I love. I had to adapt to a new way of my love for sports by studying the game.
I have a sister who is 19 years old and very supportive of me. She is unaffected by the disease but she is still a carrier. Knowing this definitely, helps me want to put an end to this. I do not want to only do this for myself but for those affected by this disease, along with their family and the people who support them.
This disease taught me a lot of lessons about life, but I think I have learned enough and it is time to put an end to this and find a cure.