High school senior Joseph Akmakjian is 17, hardly fits the popular image of a Jerry’s Kida winsome, limpid-eyed tot overwhelmed by leg braces or an ungainly wheelchair.
But he’ll be next to Jerry Lewis for the annual 21.5-hour Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, today through Monday.
Formidable and articulate, Akmakjian has muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition that typically results in death before age 30. His resume is more impressive than vitae of people three times his age.
Former Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez calls him “a powerful kid.” Akmakjian serves on civic and volunteer committees in Fort Collins, is a fundraiser and a generous donor who gave $1,000 to build a universally accessible playground instead of spending it on the cellphone he wanted.
He remembers what it was like when he was the only one in his group who sat alongside his friends’ mothers and watched while the other kids played.
“I didn’t have enough strength to hold my body up, so if I went down the slide, my feet might get caught underneath me, and I’d get a twisted ankle or a sprain,” Akmakjian said.
When Inspiration Playground opened last October, Akmakjian was surprised to find that he hadn’t completely outgrown its charms.
“I realized it was as much of a hangout place as an actual play space,” he said.
