Fort Collins man named MDA Goodwill Ambassador
Raised in Fort Collins, Akmakjian was diagnosed at 15 months old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type II, a motor neuron disease that affects the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement, according to the MDA.
"I've been speaking on behalf of MDA since I was about 6," Akmakjian said, adding that he also started using the MDA's services around that time.
And now he's back. After growing up and graduating from college — he earned a journalism degree from Colorado State University in 2013 — Akmakjian will now represent MDA by serving as its 2016 National Goodwill Ambassador.
"I’m so excited," Akmakjian said, adding that he was offered the position toward the end of last year. "I had really always wanted to take over this position when I was younger, in high school. And I guess now it just feels like the perfect time."
To celebrate double life expectancy, Foco man skydives
As the MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, Akmakjian will travel nationally to fundraising events and conferences, thanking sponsors and educating people on what the organization does, the people it serves and the new direction the brand is heading in. He'll also blog for the organization. In his first post, published Friday, he details his journey back to MDA and how he feels about being the organization's first adult ambassador; in its 65-year history, MDA appointed children to the role.
A nonprofit organization, MDA is dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and other muscle diseases, according to its website. It funds about 200 research projects in 12 countries, offers MDA care centers that are visited by nearly 50,000 kids and adults with muscle diseases every year, and sends thousands of children to its annual MDA Summer Camp.
LEGISLATION: Bill would boost jobs for Colo. disabled
It has also recently rolled out a Live Unlimited Campaign, inspired by people with muscular diseases and their families who defy the limits created by their diseases every day, Akmakjian said.
"It grew very organically when MDA started to see these posts and videos of people they were supporting doing really great things and living life to the fullest," he said.
One of those videos was of Akmakjian himself. Last summer, after turning 24 and doubling the life expectancy doctors gave him as a baby, Akmakjian celebrated with some friends by going skydiving. He later posted the video and the story was picked up by several news outlets.
Akmakjian said he officially started serving in the role in late January. It's a one-year commitment, but MDA National Goodwill Ambassadors in the past have been known to serve a maximum of two one-year terms in the role.
"In my opinion, it’s the most exciting time for (MDA)," Akmakjian said of the organization's new chapter and his role within it. "I'm really excited to represent this strong community of people who are showing the world that they can do things instead of can't."
You can follow Joe Akmakjian's MDA adventures on Facebook.