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Community Rallies Around Newburgh Man's Fight Against Muscular Dystrophy

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Newburgh resident Matthew Roopchandsingh said he was about 6-years-old when he realized he wasn't quite like the other kids. He couldn't run as fast or snap his fingers the same way they could. He would fall out of nowhere. 

Matthew Roopchandsingh is hoping to raise $55,000 to help him fight Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.

Matthew Roopchandsingh is hoping to raise $55,000 to help him fight Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe

Roopchandsingh was diagnosed Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that saps the strength from every muscle in his body. He's been fighting back with every fabric of his being ever since. 

Roopchandsingh is now 23. He's confined to a wheelchair full-time and needs a  non-invasive ventilator to help his battered lungs get enough air. He has endured spinal fusion surgery to keep his ribs from rubbing against his hip. Even a cold can hospitalize him for weeks. 

Now, Matthew and his family are hoping the community can help them out. Matthew's 2001 van has broken down and he needs a new one that can accommodate his wheelchair. 

In addition, the Roopchandsingh family is hoping to renovate the garage into a new room and bathroom so Matthew doesn't have to be carried up and down the stairs. 

Matthew and his family have raised more than $1,300 since launching their  GoFundMe campaign on Sept. 28. They're hoping to collect $55,000 for the van and garage renovation. 

"My life is hard and everything is a struggle but I've been through to much in my life to just give up and just say that's it. I remember when i first found out that I had Muscular Dystrophy, I always remembered what all of the doctors said: 'this kid won't even make it past 20, he will die before the age of 20." Roopchandsingh said on his GoFundMe page "Well I'm going to be 24 on Dec. 3 so it never matters what anyone says or thinks about you because in the end you just have to prove them all wrong , I'm still fighting and living."

Click here to read Matthew's story and donate

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