Concord boy leads race for MDA cure

CONCORD, N.C. — Bryson Foster is just 11 years old, but he’s already managed to finagle a kiss from Faith Hill, hung out with Rascal Flatts and received a surprise party from former NASCAR driver Kerry Earnhardt.

Bryson, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has been a vocal advocate, raising awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And despite his young age he is often out in the public and has his own fundraising group, Bryson’s Racers, which has raised more than $70,000 for MDA. His team will be hard at work this Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

His work has now earned him the position of 2012 MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, and he will travel the country representing families affected by neuromuscular disease. He will also be featured in MDA promotional materials and public service announcements used nationwide.

“I just hope to have raised a lot of awareness,” he said. “I really hope I can get to people’s hearts and just try to get them to know how much we love the people that donate.”

A 5^th grader at Carl A. Furr Elementary School — where he has his own sports talk show — Bryson talked to the Independent Tribune after returning form Las Vegas. This year alone, he will be speaking in Nashville, Tenn., Las Vegas, Naples, Fla. and other locations.

And most people may be surprised to see such a young man command a crowd, but Bryson has spoken in front of groups of more than 1,000 people.

“When I get up on the stage, I just don’t want to get off,” Bryson said. “I just love having the mic in my hand.”

Bryson became the national ambassador after officials with the Charlotte branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Association nominated him for the position. Bryson actively juggles his school work with attending local fundraisers and events, which has connected him to many celebrities.

He has formed a friendship with the late Dale Earnhardt’s son, Kerry Earnhardt, who threw him a surprise party at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. And when Bryson attended an event in Nashville, Tenn., he got to go backstage and meet Faith Hill.

“I went back there, and she gave me a kiss when we were taking the pictures,” Bryson said. “Then I turned around, and there’s Tim McGraw standing right in front of me, and he gives us concert tickets to when he comes to the Bank of America stadium.”

Bryson works hard at fundraising, believing one day there will be a cure for him and others.

Despite having to use braces to walk and sometimes being confined to a wheelchair, Bryson has an upbeat personality, his parents, Phil and Claire Foster said.

“When we get down, he picks us up,” Phil Foster said. “It’s amazing just to be around.”

The family are members at King’s Way Baptist Church in Concord, and they speak easily about their faith.

“After we accepted what happened, we always felt there was a reason that Bryson was given this,” Phil Foster said. “And that’s to make awareness of this disease.”

Claire Foster first suspected something was wrong with Bryson when he was about 3 years -old, but his pediatrician said the boy was fine.

By the time he was 5, another doctor told the family he suffered from a form of muscular dystrophy. Bryson's form, which is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has already caused his legs and hips to weaken. The disease will eventually affect all of his muscles, including his legs, arms, abdominal system, heart, lungs and kidneys.

“We don’t look at it like that,” his father, Phil Foster said. “God takes care of that. Our faith is strong.”

Claire Foster agreed.

“None of us are promised tomorrow,” she said. “We try to make the most of the time that we have and make it quality time and enjoy every minute that we get to spend together and the adventures we get to do.”

WSOC