Rolling with the Punches

A few weekends ago we had friends over to watch the McGregor vs. Poirier UFC fight. I've never watched a UFC fight before but Patrick wanted to have everyone over for food, drinks and the fight and I am always up for a party.

First I want to say UFC fighting is AWFUL! To watch 2 grown men beat each other's heads, faces, stomachs etc was the worst thing I have seen in a long time. As I sat on the sofa with everyone including Wyatt, I got tears in my eyes. I just kept saying how does a mom allow her child to participate in such an awful sport (really this was 2 grown men who obviously can make their own choices but really how do you sit on the sidelines and watch your child get beat up). As these men were punched over and over and kept getting up over and over again I related it back to my own life.

Over the past 13 years we have been knocked down a few times...for example trials that have been cancelled because of a death or a not meeting an endpoint. We have seen the progression of Duchenne, dealt with IVF issues, delivered a 32 week preemie, and much more. As I think about how our life has gone I realize after all of these events we have been able to get back up and dusted ourselves off and get back in the game. We may be shaken up , bloodied, and scared to get back in the ring but we do what we have to do.

After thinking about just some of the events Patrick and I have been through since we got married in 2004 I compared it to Wyatt's daily fight for the last 15 years. He gets up everyday a little weaker but he doesn't complain about struggling to sit up in bed or needing help to put on his socks and shoes. Well maybe sometimes he does but who could blame him if he complained a little bit. He is the true fighter of DMD and we are there to cheer him on and literally help him get up from the floor to fight the good fight. So today if you get knocked down don't give up...get up and get back in the fight. You can't complain if you don't try.

Of note: As for the crying during the fight...the boys haven't let me forget about it but good God UFC is a hard sport to watch without feeling sick to your stomach.