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Adam Scott, who wrote the lines above, had muscular dystrophy. His father, the author of this emotional remembrance, recalls that Adam was pronounced to be normal at birth, but by six his disabilities were obvious. A diagnosis revealed the incurable, terminal form of MD called Duchenne. The boy’s life expectancy was 20 years or fewer. Often struggling for financial security and with two younger daughters to raise, Hollingsworth and his wife Ellie did everything they could to make Adam’s life comfortable. They installed a special lift to lower him into the swimming pool and another to move him from room to room. A Miami Dolphins fan, Adam was taken to home games, winning a favorite fan contest to attend a Super Bowl game. They even arranged for enthusiastic, scholastically skilled Adam to spend the day with famed comedian and MD fundraiser Jerry Lewis. The boy’s passing was predictable but still a very sad burden for all who loved him.
Hollingsworth has composed this poignant celebration of Adam’s life as a commemoration of a brave, lively child. He recalls that Adam felt frustrated at being placed in special classes at school, had happy relationships with numerous friends while also enduring bullying and cruelty from some children, and fomented the same relationship stresses as any typical teen. Hollingsworth helpfully presents several pages of information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other useful resources, including recent scientific advances in understanding and treating the disease. He even offers a transcript of a recorded conversation between Adam and Chuck Zink, a well-known local TV celebrity, in which Adam stated, “I try to live my life the best I can.” Hollingsworth undoubtedly hopes these focused vignettes of Adam’s short life will serve as inspiration for families and sufferers of MD and related handicaps.