TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Debilitating Condition Does Not Keep Teen Down

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Seventh-grader Austin North, 14, tells Nancy Tressa the answer to a classroom assignment so she can write it down for him on Friday at Hill-Gustat Middle School.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Dan  Fearson | Highlands Today

Published: February 11, 2008

Updated: 02/11/2008 12:14 pm

SEBRING — Even though he has maintained straight A's in school, Austin North jokingly says his favorite subject is "lunch."

Austin, 14, is your typical run-of-the-mill seventh-grader. He likes video games, talking about cars and ice cream, and has a "great wit," as his mother, Candace North, of Lorida, will attest.

But Austin is a little bit different compared to his schoolmates at Hill-Gustat Middle School. Austin was diagnosed with duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMS) when he was 3 years old.

The disease, which affects Austin's muscles and his breathing, has left him unable to walk and in a wheelchair.

"I used to be able to walk," said Austin. "But by the time I was four or five I couldn't."

Because of DMS, the only muscle left in Austin's body that he can control is his right hand. He rides in an electric wheelchair.

Austin also suffers from severe scoliosis, an offset of DMS.

Enhanced paraprofessional, Nancy Tressa, is his "hands and his scribe" while he's in school.

"My job is strictly to be with him at all times while he's here," said Tressa, who was placed with Austin by the School Board of Highlands County.

"I started working with him in fifth grade," said Tressa.

On Friday, Austin had a test in his reading and language arts class. Tressa sat over Austin, as he told her answers he wanted her to write down for him.

"I can't give him answers," Tressa explained. "He's just like every other student –– I just write down what he says."

Tressa said that she will assist Austin for as long as he stays in the school district.

"I'll be with him through high school," said Tressa. "We've become pretty close. I try to treat him like a normal teenager. But I show sympathy to his symptoms and his physical needs."

Upcoming Surgery

Although Austin is happy right now, his parents were told by physicians recently that because of his scoliosis, he must have a rod surgically placed into his back.

"We always knew he was going to have to have something done," said Candace. "The physicians told us that by having the surgery we extend his life."

Patients who suffer from DMS rarely live beyond their early 30s.

It will be the first time Austin has ever gone under the knife and the cost of the procedure will be exorbitant for the North family.

To alleviate the cost, North's family is asking for public support.

On Saturday, Feb. 16, the North family will hold a fundraiser at San Jose Church of Christ, in Jacksonville, where he has relatives.

Locally, the family is taking cash donations at Brewster's Coffee House, 1905 U.S. 27 N, Sebring.

They have also set up a Web site at www.justgiving.com/pfp/austinssparrowfundraising, where people can donate. The site should be fully functioning and updated in the upcoming days.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT