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Meet Scott Crane, The Determinator

Though wheelchair bound and barely able to speak, he spreads Thanksgiving cheer.

By Mary Ann Ahern

| Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 | Updated 7:08 AM CST

Despite being diagnosed at four-years-old with Myotubular Myopathy Scott Crane spreads holiday cheer as a volunteer at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Though Wheelchair Bound, Patient Spreads...

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You can just call call Scott Crane "The Determinator."

Despite being diagnosed at four-years-old with Myotubular Myopathy -- a rare form of muscular dystrophy the weakens every muscle in his body, including his tongue -- Scott, now 22, spreads holiday cheer as a volunteer at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he's also a patient.

Wheelchair bound and barely able to speak, Scott wheels through the halls offering support and encouragement to other patients who may be dealing with life changing injuries or illness.

Scott even suffered through a tough bout of pneumonia, including collapsed lungs. But, he's fighting back and hopes to get back to where he spreads his Thanksgiving spirit not just one day a year, but every day.

"What's unique about Scott, he has been thru the experience of having a disability, of being in a wheelchair, and of being a patient here at RIC," says Colleen Hanson, Child Life Specialist at RIC.

Scott credits his positive attitude to his parents, Mike and Teena and his sister Lindsay. "because of my family, it's not hard at all," says Scott.

"You'd never know he was having a hard day," says Lisa Rosen, the Education Program Manager at RIC. "He's always telling jokes, making you laugh."

On this Thanksgiving, here's hoping Scott continues to spread his love for life for many years to come.

If you'd like know more about Scott's disease or help raise money for Myotubular Myopathy, log on to www.joshuafrase.org.