7 Year-Old Named This Month’s Hometown Hero

County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference.

All throughout 2015, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors and every day passion.

This month’s hero is Mason Devine from Hudson Falls.

Mason is just like most 7 year-old boys. He is just a quiet kid who likes to play his video games, but Mason is also living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Mason was diagnosed 2 years ago, and since then he's had to deal with medical realities of the disease. Duchenne MD is the most common fatal genetic disorders diagnosed in childhood. It primarily affects boys because the gene is found in the X-chromosome. As the disease progresses, muscle tissue experiences wasting and is replaced by fat and fibrotic tissue (fibroisis). Most boys are wheelchair dependent by age 12.

But none of that keeps Mason down. He's not the type of kid who wants special treatment, even if it means he can't keep up with the other kids. He tackles each obstacle with a can-do attitude. Even in gym class, where Mason can't always play, he will dress up as the gym coach and play along in his own way.

Katie, Mason's Mom, is extremely proud of how strong her son is at the young age of 7.

Check out our video for Mason and see how you can nominate a hero next month.