My story and the struggle with Muscular Dystrophy
My name is Paul An. I am a rising motivational speaker and a graduating student living in the Los Angeles area. Born with a disease known as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, my muscles are destroyed progressively and may lead to an early death as a result. This devastated me as a child. I couldn’t do what many of my friends found simple. I would trip over my legs when playing sports. I would lose my ability to walk. I even had one doctor tell me I would struggle in school and pass away at 19 years old. Soon after, I fell into depression and thought life was not worth living for many years. I even wanted to end my life.
Alive to make a difference
Thankfully, I had amazing people that reminded me of my worth and believed in me. Their actions and words would grow on me. So today, I am alive to make a difference. I am alive to help those who feel hopeless. Those who feel insecure. Those who feel ashamed of their past. That’s why I am a motivational speaker. I want people of all abilities to know that life is amazing no matter what happens. I don’t know how long I will live, but I know I will live life to the fullest knowing my purpose.
