Meet Jeremiah

Jeremiah was diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy at five years old. Now 16, Jeremiah relies on a tracheostomy tube and ventilator to breathe and an electric wheelchair to remain mobile. Despite these challenges, Jeremiah does not let his prognosis interfere with his dream of becoming a rapper.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy impacts muscles throughout the body, including the heart, diaphragm, and limbs. Those diagnosed with Duchenne have a life expectancy of about 30 years. Jeremiah received a tracheostomy tube last year to help assist with breathing. “I was so scared,” shared Vanessa, Jeremiah’s mom. “[Doctors] told me that he was not getting enough oxygen to his brain. They told me he was going to need a trach to live.” Shortly after this procedure, Jeremiah was transferred to La Rabida to recover and adjust to life with the trach.

“We are taking care of more than just the child’s medical condition, we are taking care of the child as a whole. There is so much more to these children than what they need medically,” explained La Rabida’s Dr. Sarah Mitchell.

Jeremiah has a specialized care team that is comprised of not only doctors and nurses, but also respiratory, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, a social worker and a child life specialist. This team works to integrate a patient’s interests into their treatment. “Occupational therapy is about enabling people to do the things that are important to them,” explained La Rabida Occupational Therapist, Alan Minyard. “Jeremiah’s main goal is to be a musician. I help him with the positioning, cardiovascular endurance, fine motor skills, memory, and executive functions that he needs to execute it.” Jeremiah decided he wanted to use his passion for music to leave a legacy for his family. While at La Rabida, Jeremiah recorded his debut single Family. A team of record producers sent professional studio equipment to the hospital and produced

Jeremiah’s rap virtually. “Other rappers talk about their feelings. It made me think ‘I’m going to start doing this with my story,’” shared Jeremiah. “Through my music, I want to tell people what I go through and tell them we are going through the same things.”