born with a rare form of muscular dystrophyPerry Finkelstein never let his disorder define him.
Instead, the 24-year-old New Yorker has used her challenges as a springboard to make the world a better place, completing 12 marathons Raising money for charity.
In January 2024, Finkelstein’s non-profit organization – the Team Perry Foundation – passed the $1 million fundraising milestone for its Tea Lifeline Project, which provides support to families following a diagnosis or trauma.
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To effect
According to the Cleveland Clinic, muscular dystrophy is a group of more than 30 genetic conditions that affect muscle functioning.
Perry Finkelstein, 24, has raised more than $1 million to help children suffering from fatal diseases, partly through his marathon events. (Team Perry Foundation)
The form of Finkelstein’s condition, called nemaline rod myopathy, causes severe muscle weakness and affects his speech and mobility.
Despite her physical limitations, she was inspired to participate in marathons in 2010 when her mother and brother began running marathons for charity.
“After watching everyone else do marathons and cheering from the sidelines, I knew I wanted to make more of an impact,” she said during an interview with Fox News Digital.
For the first few years, Finkelstein’s mother carried him around in a jogging stroller with all the essentials. medical equipment Secure to the bottom.
Then, in 2016, Finkelstein decided it was time to stand up and walk a few steps across the finish line, with the help of his physical therapist and his parents.
Finkelstein is headed toward the finish line of a marathon in Miami, Florida, in February 2024. (Team Perry Foundation)
“At that moment, I felt like I could do anything I set my mind to,” she said.
“It was a defining moment, when I realized that the only person who could stand in my way was me – and that it was up to me to change my life.”
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In subsequent marathons, those initial steps turned into walking more than 1,000 steps, then a mile, and then a mile and a half, back and forth to the finish line.
After pushing that “extra mile” for several years, Finkelstein experienced medical challenges She became unable to compete in 2022.
“I never realized that a part of my life was going to end,” he said.
“You have to push yourself to the limit for each mile marker, because nothing will ever come easy.”
“Once I officially lost that part of me, I realized I couldn’t let this setback stop me – I knew I had to keep moving forward.”
Instead of competing physically, Finkelstein now puts her energy into her foundation. fundraising efforts,
Finkelstein’s form of muscular dystrophy, nemaline rod myopathy, causes severe muscle weakness and affects his speech and mobility. “Every day isn’t rainbows and sunshine,” he said. (Claudio Papapietro)
“Since I was 8 years old, my dream was to start my own nonprofit,” she said.
“The same mindset I adopted to prepare physically and mentally for a marathon is the same mindset I adopt in my daily life as an entrepreneur.”
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The Team Perry Foundation strives to make the world “a more connected and inclusive place for everyone,” whose mission is to “educate others on the power of inclusion and disrupt the stereotypes that revolve around disability,” Finkelstein said. “
‘Not all rainbows and sunshine’
While Finkelstein strives to stay positive and focused on her goals, she admits that her daily life is not always easy.
Finkelstein’s family and friends supported him during the marathon in Miami. (Team Perry Foundation)
“Not every day is rainbows and sunshine – some days are harder than others, to the extent that severe migraineFatigue and pain keep me from doing what I want to do,” she said.
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Finkelstein undergoes various types of therapy several times a week doctor’s appointments And “always in pain,” she shared.
His social media posts highlight the ups and downs.
Finkelstein is pictured with her parents, Paul and Lori Finkelstein, on the day her foundation hit the $1 million fundraising mark in January 2024. (Team Perry Foundation)
“My hope is that by sharing little bits of my world – by portraying all the different sides of me, whether it’s dark or full of light – I can illustrate that people with disabilities can live full lives. And step out of line it could change the direction of their future,” she said.
To others living with undiagnosed conditions, Finkelstein advises, “Use your rarity to your advantage.”
“My time is precious and I still have a lot to accomplish.”
She said, “Growing up, I was willing to blend in and become invisible, because being ‘different’ put a lot of labels on me, which led to me being severely bullied by students and teachers. Went.”
“But as I got older, I realized it’s OK to be rare.”
Finkelstein is pictured with her siblings, Katy Finkelstein (right) and Joel Finkelstein, in January 2024. She credits her family for supporting her in all her endeavors. (Barbara Quagliard)
According to Finkelstein, life can be compared to the dozens of marathons he has participated in.
“You have to push yourself to the limit for every mile, because nothing will come easy,” he said.
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,all the painSetbacks and failures are what enable you to move forward and keep fighting.”
“You have to overcome the pain, because there is no other option.”
future goals
Since hitting the $1 million milestone, Finkelstein and his foundation have launched new projects, including a scholarship fund in partnership with Adelphi University, where he completed his studies. MBA in Marketing,
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She also works to promote awareness and education through speaking engagements, social media and podcasting, and hosts various fundraising events throughout the year.
Finkelstein plans to write and publish a memoir to share her life’s journey with the world.
Finkelstein said, “It’s always in the back of my mind that I can’t wait to live my life – because of physical disabilities and medical challenges, it could be cut short.” (Team Perry Foundation)
“While I used to be an athlete, I’m still just as competitive and somewhat of an overachiever in the real world,” Finkelstein said.
The entrepreneur also knows very well that life is short.
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She said, “It’s always in the back of my mind that I can’t wait to live my life — because of physical disabilities and medical challenges, it could be cut short.”
“My time is precious, and I still have a lot to accomplish.”
