JEFFERSON CITY — For most people, soccer is a fun, lighthearted sport that is easy to love. But for T.J. Clime, a 2023 graduate of Capital High School, the sport means so much more.

On Feb. 8, 2012, Clime was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) at the age of 8. Duchenne is a rare, fatal muscular disease that affects 300,000 children and young adults worldwide, according to cureduchenne.org . Many with the condition die in their 20s, and there's currently no cure.

"Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a degenerative muscle disease that breaks down every muscle in my body," Clime said.

The diagnosis shocked and devastated Clime's parents, Sara and Craig.

"It's not just a diagnosis for your son; it's an actual diagnosis for your family," Craig Clime said.

"We were just trying to

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