Danny Markel watches the Butler versus North Catholic boys basketball game recently with his father Phil Markel last month. Danny Markel was recently named the Muscular Dystrophy Association's state ambassador.

EAST BRADY, Clarion County — Dan Markel was diagnosed at birth with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“Muscular dystrophy is a disease where you progressively lose muscle tone in your body,” said Markel, 24.

Markel, who played baseball growing up, could walk up until he was 12.

As his body became weaker, Markel went from using a manual wheelchair to a power wheelchair.

“That was a little tough at first because I was always afraid of what people thought about me, but you just have to stay true to yourself and not worry about what others think of you,” he said.

Markel was recently named the State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where he will have a chance to share his story and experience to encourage and inspire others with neuromuscular diseases.

This is an excerpt from a story that appears in Friday's Butler Eagle.