(September 4, 2009) - This summer I have gotten the great opportunity to do something every reporter wants to do, tell the story of a brave family. I had the chance to interview three brave families, in fact.

I played Guitar Hero with the Hernandez family in Temple, watch Lea take care of her son Cole in Corsicana, and visit with the Schoppe family at their home in Cameron. All 3 families have kids battling a neuromuscular disease.

Each story is different and each struggle varies, but there is one common thread between their three lives. Despite a disease that has crippled them in some way, these 3 Central Texas families show strength and compassion, and all three sons younger than 12 are overcoming their obstacles.

Those 3 families also show tremendous gratitude for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. With the help of MDA, families have been able to afford wheelchairs or braces for their children, kids have found an outlet to just be a kid at summer camp, and there are new breakthroughs in research in battling neuromuscular disease.

I have produced the MDA Telethon for KWTX for 3 years now. And, each year, I have become more invested in its purpose, more amazed at the children who fight such odds.

From 7 a.m. To 5 p.m on Labor Day, my work means more to me than ever.

So, as MDA volunteers, the KWTX team and these 3 families invest in Jerry's Kids, I ask you do the same. Tune in Monday to KWTX for the Labor Day Telethon and call in. Think of donating at least $1 each for Cody, Nikolas, and Cole.