IRON RIVER -- Knowing Robbie Ivey has Muscular Dystrophy made me nervous to meet him for the first time.  How could an 11-year-old child handle such a debilitating disease?  But the face that greeted me at the front door was smiling and laughing.

I immediately knew why he had been asked to be the Goodwill Ambassador of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.

When Robbie was only five, doctors told his mother Carrie the horrifying news.

"In a nutshell, you know, it was your child will be dead by fifteen, okay, no, he won't because I'm not going to let it happen," said Robbie's mother, Carrie.

And Robbie hasn't let it get him down either.  He loves football but can't play, so he has another job:  team manager.

When he was seven, Robbie was also Goodwill Ambassador.  But in just the last year, his condition seems to have deteriorated.  Now Robbie needs to use his wheelchair more frequently.

Robbie's wheelchairs, clinic visits, leg braces, and summer camp have all come with assistance from the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  He says that's why he wants to help raise funds and awareness at the telethon.

"So kids can come to camp and get equipment," said Robbie.

And that is Robbie's mission.  Quite impressive, in my opinion, for someone dealing with so much at only 11 years old.

The Jerry Lewis Telethon is airing all Labor Day on TV6 with some local entertainment from people in our community.