What Define’s One’s Life – Adam Zwan

Some people are glorified for an invention or for a remarkable breakthrough in science.  However, others make their mark in history by being diagnosed with a rare illness that shortens life expectancy by half.  My place in history start in 1987 on September 18, living life as a healthy young man only to find health beginning to spiral downward in 1994.  The diagnosis of Type I diabetes was only the first mile marker in my marathon known as Wolfram Syndrome.  As one of 18 patients with Wolfram in the United States I found myself obligated to beat the statistics and surpass the life expectancy of 31 years old by controlling my diabetes and staying as physically active as I possibly could. I took a realistic look at myself and said that Wolfram Syndrome is the hand that I was dealt in life and it is my responsibility to make the best of what I have.

[pullquote style=”right”]I took a realistic look at myself and said that Wolfram Syndrome is the hand that I was dealt in life and it is my responsibility to make the best of what I have.
[/pullquote] fitness routine has become the highlight of my every day and I use Wolfram as my driving force to continue staying physically active.  My clique is “No one needs an excuse to exercise everyday but it’s nice to know that I have one.”  Each day starts at Gold’s Gym from 6a.m until 8a.m. then I continue teaching fitness classes from 9a.m. until 12p.m. at a wellness and rehabilitation center and then finish each day with teaching Taekwondo classes from 3p.m.til 6p.m.  Simply put, being physically active, and helping others stay active, and rising above the natural struggles of health are just a few of the things I would like to define my life.