Depending on his mood, it might even be the powerhouse vocals of Amy Lee — yes, that Amy Lee. Evanescence still crushes. But it could just as easily be Lindsey Stirling, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, or Morgan Wallen.



“I pretty much listen to anything,” he said with a laugh. “I just like a good beat.”

That mix tracks, because Aiden doesn’t fit neatly into a box either. That’d be boring anyway.



Ask his mom how she’d describe Aiden, and she doesn’t hesitate. He’s smart, kind, thoughtful, and funny. An old soul, she says. 

He carries a calm presence that puts other people at ease, even though he shoulders more than most adults ever will. Despite everything his body has taken from him, Aiden remains deeply empathetic to others. He notices people. He cares.

That compassion shows up in unexpected ways. Aiden loves dogs, especially police K9s, and has even raised money to help provide them with protective vests like the ones officers wear. One day, he hopes to have a service dog of his own. Dogs, he says, do amazing things to help people. Kind of like him.



Aiden is fourteen and lives with his mom and older sister, the three of them forming a tight-knit family that works together to support his needs. Aiden and his sister have always shared a strong bond, one that’s only grown as his world has changed. Their family does everything they can to keep Aiden’s life as full and normal as possible.

That matters because life hasn’t always been easy.



On June 3, 2015, Aiden was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He was four years old. The diagnosis came after two rounds of genetic testing and nearly six months of waiting, a period his mom remembers as filled with fear and anxiety. She still recalls the date clearly. 

Hearing that diagnosis was overwhelming and life-altering. Duchenne is a progressive disease with no cure, and learning what that meant for Aiden’s future brought a wave of anticipatory grief that hit hard and still returns from time to time.



Duchenne affects every muscle in the body, including the heart. Because Aiden’s body cannot repair muscle damage, healthy muscle tissue is gradually replaced with scar tissue. Over time, this leads to stiffness, fatigue, weakness, pain, and loss of function. Aiden is now non-ambulatory and relies on mobility equipment for daily life.



With that progression comes challenges that aren’t always visible. Accessibility barriers are everywhere. Chronic fatigue and pain are part of daily reality. And perhaps hardest of all is the gradual loss of independence.

Emotionally, it’s been difficult for Aiden to watch his peers do things he no longer can. He just wants to be “normal.” Losing the ability to walk has been especially hard, and for his mom, witnessing that decline with no way to stop it has been heartbreaking. Still, she says, Aiden has handled it with incredible strength. He is just an awesome kid.



These days, life requires a lot of planning. The family can’t simply get up and go without thinking several steps ahead. 

But they keep finding ways to show up for the things Aiden loves.

He enjoys going to the movie theater, so they go as often as they can. At home, he spends time watching movies, listening to music, gaming, hanging out with his sister, and being with their dogs. Being comfortable and surrounded by the people and animals he loves matters to him.



One other place the family has always loved is the beach.

Until now, access has been extremely limited for Aiden. The sand itself created a barrier, forcing him to watch from the sidelines instead of being part of the experience.

Thanks to the generosity of the Chive Charities community, though, that’s changing.



Chive Charities provided Aiden with a beach wheelchair for a total impact of $3,822, giving him the ability to actually get onto the sand and fully participate. For Aiden, it means participating instead of observing. It means feeling like a kid, not just a patient.

For his family, it means planning a beach trip they’ve been dreaming about and making new memories together — experiences where Aiden isn’t left out, but fully included.



Caring for a child with Duchenne, Aiden’s mom says, is physical and emotional. It’s the constant planning and the grief that comes in waves. Duchenne affects every part of daily life. And while it requires constant adaptation, it also brings an appreciation for moments many people take for granted.

Aiden has grown up facing challenges most people never have to consider. He’s even participated in two clinical trials to help advance treatments for Duchenne. Despite everything, he does his best to stay positive. His mom says Aiden has taught her compassion, strength, and gratitude in ways nothing else ever could. She is endlessly proud of the person he is.



Looking ahead, the family is focused on what’s next. That long-awaited beach trip. More shared experiences. More moments where Aiden can be a teenager, enjoying the things he loves.

To the Chive Charities community, Aiden and his family want to say thank you. Your support creates access, inclusion, and moments of joy that truly change lives. For families like theirs, it means more than words can express.



And for Aiden, it means sand beneath his wheels, music in the background, and the freedom to enjoy a good beat — maybe even with a little Amy Lee in the mix.

Join us in making someone else’s life just a little bit easier and become part of our donor family. Rock on, do-gooders. DONATE HERE.