Joseph Dusl, was born with SpinoCerebellar Ataxia 29—a rare condition that left most of his cerebellum missing.
Doctors said he would never walk or talk.
He missed all his early milestones, and as he grew older, the reality of his condition began to set in. He saw how different he was from his peers—unable to run, jump, or even balance. When he fell, he’d say things like, “I hate myself.”
Those words crushed his parents’ hearts.
Everything started to change in the spring of 2024 when Joseph joined group classes at Special Strong. Despite his struggles with balance, he found joy in the bounce class. In the beginning, he couldn’t bounce for long without falling—but he kept trying.
Now, he goes for extended periods without falling, beaming with pride after every class.
That summer, his family added two days of private training per week. Back then, he was 85 pounds and underdeveloped.
Today, Joseph weighs 110 pounds and has visible muscle definition.
He’s not just physically stronger—he’s grown mentally and emotionally, too. His cognitive abilities have soared, and for the first time, he sees himself with value and purpose.
Joseph has found his place.
He no longer says he hates himself. In fact, he wants to become a trainer—just like Coach Jeff—so he can help others the way he was helped.
But the transformation didn’t stop with Joseph.
His parents, David (a veteran) and Susan, were so inspired by his progress that they began private training themselves. Today, the Dusl family trains multiple times per week and attends unlimited group classes.
They’ve become pillars in the Special Strong community—proof of what’s possible when a family chooses faith, consistency, and hope.
Joseph’s story is one of true resilience, and his future is just getting started.
