Boy, 9, Helps Little League Teammate Who has Muscular Dystrophy

Middlesex, NJ - Notice everyone in the borough of Middlesex public schools is wearing baseball hats today?

It's not a coincidence. Friday, March 11 is "Lids for Landon," a fundraiser for a 9-year-old Middlesex boy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. And the entire day was organized by his friend, Jacob Lyerly, a fellow fourth-grader at Von E. Mauger Middle School. The two boys met playing on a Little League baseball team, the Orioles, and are best friends.

When he was in first grade, Landon Doychak, now 9, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It's the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 infant boys.

Duchenne is a progressive degenerative disease. That means that boys who have it get worse over time. Duchenne results in progressive loss of muscle strength, according to a GoFundMe page created for Landon. The muscle weakness eventually leads to life-threatening heart and lung problems.

For example, last year, Landon used to be able to hit a baseball and play on his Little League team. Now he is non-ambulatory and uses a power scooter at school and wheelchairs at home.

Men with Duchenne usually live until their twenties, Landon's mom, Michelle Doychak told Patch.

"Lids for Landon" is born

The thing is Landon needs a better motorized wheelchair to help him get around. And it's expensive.

"We're haggling with our insurance right now, but at worst this will cost us about $5,000 to $6,000," Michelle said. "But that's not the real issue. The real expense is the specialized van we'll need for the wheelchair. My husband has to lift and carry Landon by himself. We have to bathe him."

Michelle never told anyone how expensive her son's disease was getting.

"My husband and I both work a lot; we work very hard. We have a lot of pride and we never told anyone we couldn't afford this," Michelle said. "Landon confided in Jacob. He said, 'I got fitted for a wheelchair yesterday, and I don't think my parents can afford it.'"

That prompted Jacob to write a letter to Middlesex Public School Superintendent Linda Madison.

He suggested everyone wear hats for Landon, "Lids for Landon," on a certain day and also give $1.

"I was wondering if on one day we could support Landon," read Jacob's letter, on Mycentraljersey.com. "I would like for all the schools in Middlesex to participate, pre-K to high school .... If everyone participates and donates $1, I believe we can help him afford his new wheelchair."

And so Friday, March 11, students, parents and teachers at Middlesex's five public schools are all wearing their lids. Anyone can give to help Landon right here.

"When my husband and I heard about this, we were floored," said Michelle Friday morning as she drove to the elementary school. "Landon loves Jacob and he's over the top about this. It's very humbling to think a 9-year-old could be so selfless. Most adults aren't even like this."

Photo: Landon Doychak with Jacob Lyerly. Used with permission from Michelle Doychak. Second, a Middlesex school parent Friday morning.