A 13-year-old Jonestown boy will sign with the Lebanon Valley College’s Men’s Ice Hockey team on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Hersheypark Arena.
Jameson “Jamie” Reynolds is a 7th-grader at Northern Lebanon Middle School. At 8, he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact.
Jamie’s condition means that playing sports and being part of a sports team has been out of reach. However, through the efforts of Team IMPACT and the LVC ice hockey team, he can now realize that dream.
Team IMPACT is a unique multiyear program based in Quincy, Massachusetts, that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country, according to a press release. The program guides children and teams alike in a mutually beneficial relationship of belonging, empowerment, and resilience, and it “creates a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved,” the release explains.
The signing event will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Old Barn at the sports arena.
The Dutchmen’s ice hockey squad, led by Head Coach Don Parsons, began welcoming Jamie to practices at the end of last year. Jamie will participate in several team activities during their next two seasons.
“Participating in a program like Team IMPACT greatly benefits the child, and equally benefits our players as individuals,” said Parsons. “They develop skills that will help them throughout life, and Jamie has been a tremendous inspiration.”
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