Frank Dinucci

Six-year-old Frank Dinucci Jr. has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nevertheless, he is one of the most inspirational young people to have come out of New York City. While he suffers from a degenerative condition, he is hopeful that new research at the University of Columbia will improve his quality of life.

Frank Dinucci Jr. was diagnosed at the age of three, when his little sister Isabelle was born. Around one in every 3,500 boys in this country are born with this condition, and life expectancy is less than 30 years. However, Frank is a fighter and, although he is just 6, he believes he will be the exception to the rule. His father, Frank Dinucci Sr., has been inspired by his son's bravery and wants to use this to show others that there is hope.

Frank Sr. says: "Unlike many other children with Duchenne, Frank hasn't shown any rapid deterioration signs. He is stable. While there is no cure for the condition yet, the fact that he hasn't gotten any worse over the past two and a half years is promising. And I believe it is his positive attitude that is behind it."