Mom Is Awarded for Helping Her Son and Her Community

posted on Jan 17 by Roseanne in the Advocacy, Disability News, Muscular Dystrophy, Wheelchair Sports category

Ben Muller’s desire to play soccer after college, despite being born with muscular dystrophy and requiring a wheelchair, created unexpected opportunities for other young adults with wheelchairs to live independently. Together, he and his mother formed the Independence Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities and independent living for young people with disabilities. Recently Ben’s mother, Christine Muller, received international recognition for these accomplishments in the form of a Shire BRAVE award.

When Ben Muller was born 27 years ago, his parents were prepared to be his caregivers for life. Ben was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and would need a wheelchair to accomplish basic day-to-day tasks that most people take for granted.

“Twenty years ago, we envisioned that we would be caring for Ben for the rest of our lives,” Christine Muller, said. “We did not envision he would be able to go to college.”

Despite his parents’ concerns, Ben graduated from Edinboro College in Meadville, PA where he found a new passion for soccer while attending classes. The school had over 40 students with wheelchairs, allowing a unique opportunity for the sport.

After college, Ben wanted to continue playing soccer in his home town of Elma, NY. With the help of his mother, he was able to form a league, and eventually a non-profit organization so that the league could have the necessary insurance for liability purposes.

Ben and his mother didn’t stop there. Ben’s desire for independence led the non-profit organization to go further than just recreation, and three houses were opened to allow young adults with disabilities an opportunity to live outside of their parents’ homes in an independent environment, instead of in nursing homes or group homes, where their independence is sacrificed for the ease of staff.

Seeing how much his mother did for him before and after college, Ben decided to nominate his mother for the Shire BRAVE award. The award is sponsored by the global bio-pharmaceutical company Shire, and is meant to recognize people that act with respect, dedication, courage and patience. Out of 400 nominations worldwide, Christine Muller was one of ten chosen for the award and the $10,000 prize that accompanies it.

As you might expect from a mother who gave so much to both her son and her community, Christine plans to use the money to continue helping others who face the same challenges as Ben.

According to Christine “The best part of the award is it all came about because my son thinks I’m doing something pretty amazing.”

Spoken like a true Super Mom.

Source:
insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=324452
theindependencefoundation.org

Image sources:
shirebraveawards.com
facebook.com/pages/The-Independence-Foundation/187105267966323
dailylocal.com