Cross & Crescent

Ryan Levinson is an emergency medical technician and an accomplished athlete with designs of competing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. For more than a decade he has lived with the knowledge that he has a medical condition that nearly everyone thought would sentence him to a sedentary lifestyle.

In 1994, Ryan Levinson (San Diego State 1995), a tanned and muscular student at San Diego State University, went to see a neurologist for an explanation as to why a muscle group around his right pectoral area had disappeared.

At the time it was believed Levinson had sustained some minor nerve damage from an extreme sports injury. For two years his problems with muscle atrophy continued, leading him to see another doctor.

After an examination, the doctor began dictating his notes. Without any explanation, Levinson overheard his probable diagnosis for the first time as it was read into a dictaphone: “patient likely has muscular dystrophy.”

In the days before widespread DNA testing, Levinson had to undergo a muscle biopsy and a long wait before receiving an official diagnosis of fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. FSHMD causes muscle degeneration in facial, pectoral, and shoulder-girdle muscles.

The doctor told Levinson that in order to prevent the degeneration from accelerating, he should give up the physical and active lifestyle to which he was accustomed — an idea he immediately rejected.

The conventional wisdom that people with MD should limit their physical activity was almost universally accepted, even though it had never been tested.

Armed with his own research on the disease, Levinson determined he would test that theory by living his life to the fullest. It would not be easy.

A chapter in distress

This was not the first time Levinson challenged something he believed to be wrong.

As a San Diego State University freshman, Levinson joined the Zeta-Pi chapter. He found himself going through a new-member experience that did not reflect the non-hazing ideals set forth in the international fraternity’s associate member program. He confronted his High Kappa about the inconsistencies — as described in the Paedegogus — and in the operation of the chapter’s fraternity education program.

Levinson considered quitting, but was told by an older member he could have a greater impact if he stayed involved in the fraternity and worked to bring about changes. Levinson was eventually elected High Phi of a chapter that was divided about its future.

Although Levinson and others worked hard to bring about positive changes, the chapter continued to deal with internal struggles, and eventually lost its charter.

When Levinson was first diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, he did not have the support from his brothers. Since that time, the chapter has been re-colonized.

With a new group of guys, Levinson has had the opportunity to speak to the members and challenge them to live up to the high standards of Lambda Chi Alpha. Even Levinson’s fraternal contemporaries have reunited and have formed a strong alumni association to support the new chapter.

Define Overdo

Before his diagnosis, Levinson was a competitive cyclist; competing against the likes of Lance Armstrong. He admits that like many young athletes, he relied too much on strength. During the early stages of his MD, he noticed he no longer had the power to compete at a world class level and left the sport.

After he learned of his ailment, Levinson chose to shy away from the doctor’s recommendation of not over doing it. In 2003 he got back on his bike after a 12 year hiatus.

Initially, he had no championship dreams — he merely wanted to determine his potential. He soon discovered that by changing his riding style, and using more strategy than strength, he could still compete against able bodies.

Levinson decided to shoot for the 2004 Paralympics, an international competition that mirrors the Olympics and takes place in the same cities as the Olympic Games.

After qualifying for the team, Levinson was told he would not be able to compete because cycling doesn’t have a category for Muscular Dystrophy — a rule he continues to fight.

Finding his potential

Levinson finally found an event that did recognize athletes diagnosed with MD: the triathlon.

Competing primarily against athletes without impairment, Levinson still managed to finish near the top.

Mere months before the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships, Levinson set out to qualify for the US team, though he had little experience in competitive swimming or running.

During his warm-up and qualifying events, Levinson was competing primarily against athletes without impairment, yet he still managed to finish near the top of the heap. Not only did he make the team, but he finished third at the world championships in October 2005.

In 2004, Levinson had 25 top-five cycling finishes and won three medals in the 2004 National Championships. He also qualified for the 2005 USA Cycling track Elite National Championships and the triathlon’s Team USA.

Despite his incredible accomplishments, Levinson is focused on his next goal: competing as a paralympic athlete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Inspiring Courage

As little or no scientific research had been completed to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that increased physical activity will accelerate the degeneration from muscular dystrophy, Levinson volunteered himself to serve as a guinea pig for further research.

Although the tests have not conclusively disproved the theory, they have not shown any catastrophic muscle loss.

Perhaps more important than any current scientific evidence, word of the tests has spread worldwide. Levinson frequently receives calls and emails from people who have been diagnosed with the muscular dystrophy who are inspired by his courage.

Helping Others

ESPN and a variety of other local and national media outlets have run stories on Levinson’s accomplishments. The city of San Diego even declared November 18, 2001, as Ryan Levinson Day.

In 2004 he was named Volunteer of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And in 2005 he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

These are just a handful of the many accolades Levinson has earned in the last few years, and those following his adventures can learn more by logging on to www.ryanlevinson.com.

In addition to his athletic and philanthropic work, Levinson is also employed as an Emergency Medical Technician. Being an EMT provides a number of physical, high-adrenaline challenges, but he receives the greatest reward from helping people in any setting.

Levinson is guided by the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha and is mindful of its meaning. He has reconnected with a number of his contemporaries and is always eager to share his inspirational message with fellow brothers in the bond.