Alaska teen creates video about his life with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

From KTUU-TV in Alaska:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Many Alaskans first met Bryan Arnold through the video profile he created about life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The video educated viewers about the daily challenges of living with Arnold's fatal form of the disease.

Arnold, 18, has already made quite an impression both inside and out of Alaska.

Since Arnold's video first previewed, it has made its way around the country -- winning awards for its unique perspective on special needs from a young man who simply wanted to tell the world that above all, he's like any other teen.

The MDA Personal Achievement Award is one of more than half a dozen awards that Arnold has received over the past year alone.

The one he received this year is for sharing his story and creating awareness through his video, among other accomplishments. His other awards range from the Alaska Spirit of Youth award to national and international awards for his video and his writings.

Arnold graduated from Stellar Secondary School this spring - it was a non-traditional graduation from a non-traditional school, but still with a very traditional message for graduates.

"Above all, don't settle and keep looking -- however winding and difficult your life path will be you are all graduates of Steller Secondary and you all share the common concept -- knowledge, spirit and freedom," Steller principal Harold Green said.

As each student shared high school memories, Arnold's memorable moments were measured through a very different gauge.

"From walking to a wheelchair, from independence to dependence," Arnold said.

Though Arnold has had many challenges in his short life, he says he is far from bitter.
"Life throws a curve ball sometimes and we have to adapt and not give up -- at least that's my philosophy," he said.

Arnold's family says they are proud of the young man he's become, and the life lessons he's already learned and shared.

"Take time to look around and see people for who they really are," Arnold said. "We are all the same and have the same hopes and dreams -- alone we only make small impacts on things, but together we can change the world."