How an Ohio State grad finds purpose living life with Duchenne MD
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Cody Chalfan is seen with Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, behind him. (Photos courtesy of Cody Chalfan)
In recognition of Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in September, the Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by muscular dystrophy, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MDAwarenessMonth, or read the full series.
My name is Cody Chalfan. I’m 26, from Columbus, Ohio, and I live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
When I was young, I had a very specific expectation of how life would go: I pictured going to college, starting a career, getting married, and having kids. I thought I had it all figured out.
As I got older and more barriers and limitations developed, I quickly learned that life wasn’t going to look like that idyllic one. I don’t think that’s unique to the world of DMD. It’s just adulthood, but having DMD certainly adds complications others don’t face. I think it’s still possible to achieve those dreams, but it’s a much more complicated journey than anticipated.
I won’t sit here and claim I have it all figured out. But I also will never give up my search for purpose and meaning. I’m not alone in that journey. There’s a great community around DMD. That’s one thing I feel is going right: having a strong support system that gets it.
I have learned this search isn’t uncommon for men with Duchenne. Still, it’s hard, and frustrating, and sometimes I get aggravated that building an adult life with this disease is so difficult. However, knowing I’m not the only one on this journey makes me feel less alone.
One thing I’ve learned is that purpose can be sneaky. It will come from ways I didn’t expect, ways that society isn’t good at naming.
Chalfan is pictured at his graduation from Ohio State University.
Going into college, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer; the backup plan was zoology, and then meteorology. I turned out not to have the stamina to keep up with the demands of STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I ended up in communications and journalism with a minor in history. I still accomplished a degree, of which I am proud. Being an Ohio State alumnus is a source of pride for me. It’s a massive win over DMD, too.
I may not have a career in STEM, but I find ways to connect with the meaning and purpose those fields promised. With aerospace, I still enjoy aviation and space travel. I found that connection in science fiction, playing flight simulators, and watching planes.
I’ve found the spirit of zoology in wildlife watching. I get out in nature, hunting species to add to my life list of ones sighted. I find joy in being outside and a sense of accomplishment as an amateur naturalist. I have also found many citizen projects that contribute to science.
For meteorology, I’m a weather nerd. Every morning, I check the severe risk and watch the skies out my window and from my backyard. Next spring, I plan to become a trained weather spotter and build a weather station in my backyard.
I’ve not found my full meaning yet, but if my journey tells you anything, living with DMD or not, purpose is a journey, not a destination. We never fully get there, but we never stop chasing. You can find purpose and meaning, though it may not be what you expect.
