extremistwaffleiron

I'm also a Jew who served in the 1st Armored Division, though many decades removed from your own service. So happy to see you doing this AMA. When you said Majdanek my jaw dropped. It doesn't get as much recognition as other camps, but it was an absolute monstrosity beyond words. My great uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate several camps.

You don't sound like a loser. You sound like a typical 21 year old kid who does the best he can with his circumstances and manages to have a fulfilling life. Your circumstance has put my own into perspective. I'm going in for my second lumbar surgery in six years and treating it like the end of the world because I don't know how active I can be. Thank you for humbling me.

I'm 32 and still play video games and love comics. That's not something I will ever give up. I also have a career, but currently no girlfriend (you got me beat there). I think you're incredibly courageous to open up to the reddit community about SMAII. You may not believe it, but you're doing a great service to the world by bringing attention to the disease.

I don't know if you're aware, but DARPA has been doing tons of cybernetics research into exoskeletons and ways to improve load bearing capability in soldiers. There are probably (definitely) non-military applications for these budding technologies that could potentially help you in the future.

I wish you all the best, Donovan. It makes me happy to see someone with such a difficult condition thriving in the way you are. Your girlfriend (and your family) are lucky to have such a smart, strong kid around. As I grow old and my body breaks down I hope I can keep my mind as sharp as yours.

Just keep being you, dude. You seem like a really cool guy with a lot to say and share with everyone around him. I hope someday you get the chance to walk and run and use your body. I don't care if it's an exosuit or gene therapy that heals your disease. I just want you to feel that freedom and the wind in your hair while you run down the street.

I'm confident that someday you will have your cure. You can do great things by teaching people how not to take what they have for granted. You can help people live more complete lives through sharing your experiences. Enjoy your weekend, Donovan. You more than anyone deserve it.