Life with Becker MD | Exploring Life, Disability & Everything In Between!

Hi, I’m Brad and this is My Beckers Story

Welcome to my corner of the internet, where I share life with Becker MuscularDystrophy (BMD) - a rare, sometimes invisible disability. This isn’t the highlight reel. This is real life, told openly and honestly - no sugarcoating, no pretending. This is the place where I explore Life, Disability & Everything In Between!

I am also the author of Fighting Towards Victory, a book about my experiences growing up with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. I share the challenges I’ve faced along the way - from childhood bullying and employment struggles to devastating losses. But through it all, I keep showing up and fighting through every challenge that comes my way.

My mission is to show what living with a disability is actually like - not the watered-down or inspirational version, but the truth. If you appreciate honesty and authenticity, consider reading through my blog, picking up a copy of Fighting Towards Victory, and continuing to follow my journey on Instagram & YouTube!

Available in Canada, the USA, the UK, and more!

What Readers Are Saying

“Hi Brad. I was recently diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I read your book and wanted to let you know that it made me feel a lot better about my diagnosis.”

“This book highlights the mental sharpness while facing the progression of muscle weakness from childhood to adulthood. What an honest and inspiring story through many challenges and finding positivity through it all.”

Celebrating 15 years of My Beckers Story!

It all started in 2010 with My Becker’s Story, my blog about life with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. A year later, I got involved in the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, and in 2014, I founded Laps4MD and started Becker Awareness Week to help bring the community together and raise awareness. In 2023, I took the next step and wrote and self-published my book Fighting Towards Victory. I hope you grab a copy!

Connect with My Beckers Story!

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

@mybeckersstory

Fighting Towards Victory - Incredible read, highly recommend!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fighting Towards Victory is a powerful and uplifting look into life with Becker Muscular Dystrophy - not just the diagnosis, but the day-to-day strength, resilience, and humanity that come with it. After my own son was diagnosed with BMD I began meeting people in the community through online platforms.

Brad was-one of the first to quickly respond to my many questions. Without fail Brad kindlyshared his experiences and gave me so much hope and comfort. I was so happy he published his first book and I read it quickly! In his book he shares his journey from early childhood and diagnosis, through school challenges into adulthood, love, marriage, incredible loss and beyond, with a level of honesty and warmth that makes the story incredibly relatable and real.

What I appreciated most was the insight into the emotional and practical challenges of living with Becker muscular dystrophy - but also the humor, love, and positive perspective that shine through. It's not just about a condition; it's about a life well-lived and so much growth when faced each day with challenges many of us take for granted. 

The updated version of the book includes even more stories and reflections, adding depth and making an already great read even more impactful! This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understanding of day to day life, overcoming challenges brought on by neuromuscular disease and anxiety or simply just to be inspired by someone who lives with grace, courage, and purpose and is fighting towards victory!

Highly recommend!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review by: Christina

Getting to the Heart of Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy often involves anticipation of the condition worsening. Many individuals experience concern about heart-related issues, which, although manageable, remain a significant concern for many. This underscores the importance of regular heart check-ups. It is essential to acknowledge that heart-related complications are a potential aspect of Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and awareness of these facts is crucial.

Research & Hope for the Future

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) can impact individuals in various ways. While some may be able to walk or use mobility aids in certain situations, others may have lost the ability to walk. Currently, a study by Edgewise Therapeutics is underway with the hope of developing a treatment to slow the progression of BMD. This significant study has the potential to lead to future treatments for other forms of Muscular Dystrophy. If they discover a method to protect our hearts, it could benefit the entire Muscular Dystrophy community.

While there is a serious aspect to living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), we can remain hopeful that advancements in research will benefit not only future generations but also those currently living with Becker. Although there are certainly challenges associated with living with a progressive disability, it is important to focus on the potential positive outcomes from ongoing studies. Looking to the future with hope for good results from current research is essential.

Throughout my life with Becker Muscular Dystrophy, I have found a positive aspect in meeting others who are living with the condition. Our community is often very supportive, willing to help each other through both the good and bad times. There have been many occasions where I have received valuable advice from fellow individuals with BMD, which has helped me navigate difficult periods.

One challenge we encounter is dealing with family or friends who may not fully understand the issues we face, particularly when we are at a less visible stage of living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). They may make insensitive remarks or show a lack of understanding regarding why we can no longer visit their homes due to obstacles like stairs or other barriers. Living with any disability can be frustrating, as it often involves dealing with challenges that those without disabilities do not experience. This can be quite stressful, which is concerning, especially given the potential heart-related issues associated with BMD.

This post emphasizes the importance of supporting our community and helping others understand the lives we lead. It also highlights the need for doctors and other healthcare providers to be well-informed about Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). Increased awareness and knowledge will contribute to improved care and better outcomes for everyone living with BMD. Ultimately, like everyone else, we deserve the best possible care and greater understanding from those we share our lives with.

To learn more about Edgewise Therapeutics and their efforts please visit https://edgewisetx.com/ 

To learn more about life with Becker Muscular Dystrophy consider getting a copy of my book "Fighting Towards Victory" Available on Amazon by visiting https://linktr.ee/fightingtowardsvictory

Surviving the Brooklin Spring Fair - Thanks to My Trusty Cane

Last night, I did something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull off - I survived a night out at the Brooklin Fair. It wasn’t without its challenges, but I made it through, and I have my cane to thank for that.

To be honest, I was disappointed - but not entirely surprised - by the lack of accessibility at the event. I had assumed the paved parking lot would be reserved for accessible parking. That would have made sense, right? Instead, it was being used by one of the fair’s sponsors to showcase their vehicles. The designated accessible parking was tucked far away from the festivities, a considerable distance to cover if you have mobility challenges. Meanwhile, event staff and fair reps had spots much closer. Unfortunately, it felt like accessibility was once again an afterthought.

It’s frustrating, but it’s something you start to expect when living with a disability. Still, I didn’t let it ruin my night. I had a good time, all things considered - and that’s largely because I made the choice to bring my cane instead of my mobility scooter.

Why the cane? Simple: my scooter doesn’t handle grassy terrain well. The ruts from tractors and natural dips in the ground can cause it to get stuck - or worse, tip over. I felt well enough, maybe thanks to a pre-fair nap, so I opted for the cane, knowing I’d have to constantly scan the ground to avoid a fall. Fortunately, I made it through without incident. The fencing around the grounds helped too - I could use it for support when needed.

We explored the animal exhibits, grabbed some food, and decided to find a good spot for the tractor pull. Here’s where I made another miscalculation. We picked the wrong side of the track. Across from us, the bleachers were filling up - but those folks had the benefit of partial shade. Meanwhile, we were directly under the blazing sun. It didn’t take long before I started overheating and feeling faint. I let my wife know and we made a beeline back to our car for some much-needed air conditioning.

Thankfully, while we were cooling off, we got a message from the friends we were meeting. They’d already found seats - on the shaded side. What a relief! We met up with them, and I immediately felt better. As the sun went down, the temperature dropped, and the rest of the evening was actually enjoyable.

Believe it or not, I had never seen a tractor pull before. It was loud - sorry to those who prefer EVs over roaring V8s - but kind of thrilling. Who knows - maybe one day we’ll see electric tractors in the competition. It’d definitely sound a lot different!

After about an hour and a half, it was time to make the long walk back to the car. My legs were tired, but I stretched, took it slow, and made it. The cooler air helped a lot. I was just so grateful to have brought the cane I keep stashed in our vehicle for days just like this.

In the end, despite the glaring issue with accessible parking, it was a good night. A fun event, new experiences, and a reminder of how small improvements in accessibility could make a big difference. If you’re attending next year and using a mobility scooter, make sure it’s built for off-road conditions. And if anyone from the fair is reading this: it wouldn’t take much to do better. Let’s hope accessibility moves up the priority list.

As for me, recovery mode is on today. Nights like yesterday come with a cost - my leg muscles are making it clear that rest isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. Living with a disability means listening to your body, honoring its limits, and knowing that pushing through isn’t always the answer.