Mo Gerhardt
Mo Gerhardt was born in Traverse City, MI. At the age of eight he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was told by doctors he would be lucky to live beyond his teens. In the fall of 2006, at the age of 28, Mo’s diagnosis was changed to a rarer form of muscular dystrophy, Limb Girdle 2D.
Along with muscular dystrophy, Mo has experienced many physical obstacles in life including being in a bus accident, multiple bone fractures, osteoporosis and loss of vision in his right eye.
Mo graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and then completed a Master of Science degree in athletic administration. He currently works in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University and is also employed through the Spartan Sports Network as the MSU Women’s Basketball radio analyst. He lives with his service dog Lavoi in Bath, MI.
“Mo Gerhardt is an inspiration. His story is one of courage and perseverance.
Anyone who reads this book will be moved by Mo’s incredible outlook on life and his indomitable spirit. This is a story that truly proves the old expression,
‘You can’t keep a good man down.’ ”
—Mitch Albom
Author of the International Bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie
“Mo is truly an inspiration. His courage and commitment to pursuing his dreams are infectious to all those he comes into contact with on a daily basis. I am proud to say he is part of our Spartan family and even more proud to call him my friend.”
-Suzy Merchant
Michigan State University Head Women’s Basketball Coach
2010-11 Big Ten Coach of the Year
“I have known Mo Gerhardt since he was eight years old. I have watched him go through incredible changes – profound to say the least, with loss of ambulation and more recently restrictive limb movements. What serves as an incredible inspiration to me and others, who have witnessed this evolution, is that Mo never yields to his muscle loss. It is almost as if he sees each loss as a greater challenge, like a long distance runner or a triathlete. He will not give up and as his doctor I have even more incentive to find a treatment for him. My brain is telling me if Mo will not give up (give in), I will not either and together we will find a way to beat muscular dystrophy!”
-Jerry R. Mendell, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology
Director of the Center for Gene Therapy
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
