A love of drumming and drawing, a new-found interest in girls and a desire for independence are typical of most teenage boys, and Connor, 15, is no different.
However, Connor, who lives at Ascot, near Bendigo, but is originally from Melton, has other challenges that only about one in 3600 boys face.
Connor has the most severe form of muscular dystrophy, Duchenne MD, which affects boys only and is usually diagnosed before they are six years old.
“He was actually walking at two, But then it slowly disintegrates, so now he’s confined to an electric wheelchair,” says his mother, Debra Hall.
“He’s a drummer, but now his body’s getting weaker so he’s having difficulty raising his hands to play the drums. He’s also a great artist and, luckily, he’s still got strength in his hands and wrists to be able to do that.”
For the past three years, Connor has attended a camp near Bacchus Marsh run by Muscular Dystrophy Australia (MDA).
“When Connor first went, I was really concerned for him because for the first time he was facing all other children in different stages of the condition,’’ says Debra.
“When I picked him up, he was crying and I thought it was because he was miserable, but it was because he didn’t want to go home.
‘‘It gave him a chance to meet other kids and feel connected. They don’t feel as different or like they’re the only ones.”
The 90th week-long Camp MDA was held last week. MDA executive director Boris Struk says the retreats also give the primary carer a break. Each camper is assigned a carer for the week, usually a university student studying nursing or occupational therapy.
“They’re beautiful people,” Debra says.
