The usual expanse of blue and white uniform shirts was dotted here and there by bright orange T-Shirts with a JOA logo on the front. Weekly Mass had just concluded for St. Albert the Great School as Principal Ed Vittardi took the microphone to introduce a representative from the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Genevive Falconi, M.D. pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Brunswick office.
Dr. Falconi introduced herself as John Owen Dumm’s pediatrician. She has known the twelve-year-old since he was a little bitty ten days old. She knows Owen and his family. Dr. Falconi asked, “What was courage?” She said she looked up the word in the dictionary, “The attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as, difficult, painful, or dangerous instead of withdrawing from it.” She also said she found fifty-five synonyms in the thesaurus including, “bravery, perseverance, heroism, grit, lion-heartedness and even moxie.”
Dr. Falconi went on to talk about why Owen was a good example of courage. Owen was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a deadly disease. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is one of nine forms of muscular dystrophy that affects more than 500,000 children (mostly males) worldwide and is marked by progressive deterioration of the skeletal muscles. Deterioration eventually affects the heart, lungs, and vital organs that can no longer function.
Owen went from being a happy active, energetic four-year-old to one that faced multiple challenges from this fatal disease. By the time Owen was eight, he had lost his mobility but not his spirit and energy.
“Owen displays courage through all the hundreds of blood tests, medical evaluations, and consultations. Owen is the epitome of ‘grace under fire.’ He never gives up; encouraging others to do their best. Owen is a happy, energetic guy,” added Dr. Falconi.
Dr. Falconi announced the reason for her coming to St. Albert the Great School. “The 26th annual Cleveland Clinic Children’s Gala, presented by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans, will once again honor a young patient who demonstrates great character while coping with a challenging medical condition. This year’s honoree, John “Owen” Dumm, will receive the eminent “Courage Award” at the May 7 gala at the Cleveland Convention Center.
Owen looked a bit stunned and embarrassed as he heard the news while his classmates, teachers, and JOA supporters clapped loudly, giving him a standing ovation.
Owen gets a lot of attention from doctors, specialists, nurses, and hospital staff. This was different. He showed a shy smile as he moved his motorized chair to the front of the gathering to join his Mom Jen, his Dad Tony, his brothers, Rutger and Wade, his pediatrician Dr. Falconi, and the mayors of Brunswick and North Royalton.
The entire family including, Larry, Owen’s long haired dachshund service dog, received proclamations from Brunswick mayor, Ron Falconi, declaring May 7 as John Owen Dumm Day in Brunswick. North Royalton mayor, Robert Stefanik, also presented a proclamation declaring April 29 as John Owen Dumm Day in North Royalton.
Owen received another round of applause. The JOA supporters clapped the loudest. Dr. Falconi mentioned that, “when Owen’s family was given lemons, they really made lemonade.” The Dumm family founded JOA.
JOA is John Owen’s Adventure, Inc. This non-profit is dedicated to improving research to discover a treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy that attacks young boys due to a tiny flaw in their X chromosome. The flaw prevents the body from making dystrophin, a chemical necessary for muscular health. Without dystrophin, all muscles slowly deteriorate unable to function. Since 2008, JOA friends and local community have joined in raising $400,000 for research and education.
The Dumms continue to be encouraged by the depth of caring and help that have contributed to John Owen’s Adventure over the years. Adventuresome is also a synonym for courage. As John Owen continues his own personal adventure of life, he is supported each step of the way by family, friends, supporters and medical community cheering him on each step of the way.
Information about the Cleveland Clinic Children’s 26th Annual Gala visit www.clevelandclinicchildrens.org/gala
To learn more about John Owen’s Adventure go to www.JOAinc.org

By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer