Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that progressively weaken the musculoskeletal system, making it difficult to do everyday things such as walking. Medicines, physical therapy, exercises, and special braces aid patients while doctors work hard to find a cure for this disease. MD affects 1 in every 3,500 to 6,000 boys, and two of those included in the statistic are more than just numbers–they’re people, and they live here in Cypress.

Here in the Cypress community, two young boys suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a branch of MD that affects young boys’ muscle strength specifically. Coach 2 Cure, a charity organization that exists to raise awareness of MD, gives them the opportunity of a lifetime.

Fifth graders Nicholas Buellers and Wyatt Keenan get the chance to lead the Cy Ranch varsity football team onto the field before one game every season. Both boys are honorary captains, and morale is more than raised when they step onto the field.

Nicholas Buellers’ mother, Erin, says that the feeling of seeing her son on the field with the team is very emotional.

“We appreciate that moment since we don’t know how much longer Nicholas will be walking,” said Buellers’ mother. “Seeing the football team holding hands and walking out behind the boys is so meaningful because our boys cannot physically play football and we know how hard the players work so it means a lot to be able to participate in it.”

Wyatt Keenan, however, experiences these moments firsthand. Keenan says his favorite parts are getting the game ball and watching the game.

“Coach Johnson and the team have really taken the boys under their wing,” said Wyatt Keenan’s mother, Jill.

Nicholas and Wyatt will  proudly continue to lead our boys in blue both on and off the field.