“Life With a Rare Muscle Disease: Donald Allison’s Story of Strength”

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, hosts Doug Vincent and Addie Rich sit down with Donald Allison, who shares his lifelong journey from growing up in Fontana, California, to living today in Yucca Valley near Joshua Tree National Monument. Donald opens up about the early signs of a rare and progressive muscle disease called Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)—a condition that first affected his hands, then his mobility, and ultimately placed him in a wheelchair. Diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic, Donald explains what it’s like to live with constant muscle weakness, chronic pain, immune system complications, and the everyday challenges of personal care and independence. He also pays tribute to the pivotal role his mother played in his life, including the legacy she left behind to ensure he could continue living safely in his home after her passing in 2021. This episode is a raw, honest, and educational look at life with a rare neuromuscular condition, filled with resilience, vulnerability, and the power of family and adaptability. Walk and Roll Live