TUCSON, Ariz. — Latondra Chappell of Charlotte, N.C., will be featured on the national broadcast of MDA SHOW of STRENGTH this Sunday, Sept. 2.

Latondra, 14, will have her “story of strength” told on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s three-hour, prime-time Labor Day weekend special. In the Charlotte area, viewers can watch on WAXN-TV, Channel 64.

Latondra, who is entering high school this year, is a good student and a social butterfly. Her dream is to help people and to become a veterinarian.

Nikki Chappell says her daughter is a typical teenager who loves animals and loves to play the piano.

“She’s an excellent piano player. She may have weaknesses in other parts of her body, but there is absolutely no weakness in her hands,” said Chappell.

Latondra was born with central core disease (CCD), which delays motor development. Chappell adopted Latondra when she was 4 years old.

“MDA has been fabulous to us,” Chappell said. “When I wanted to scream and cry, I’d just call our local MDA office knowing that they’d have that emotional support for me and Latondra.”

“After hearing the family’s story, our show's producers knew they had to introduce Nikki and Latondra to our viewers,” said MDA Interim President and Medical Director Valerie Cwik, M.D. “Their fighting spirit inspires all of us here at MDA to continue to seek out the most promising research and offer help for today through our services programs.”

‘Stories of Strength’

The MDA SHOW of STRENGTH will feature six “stories of strength” told from the individuals’ and families’ perspectives.       

In addition to Chappell, the other profiles are: Veronica Niño, 45, of Friendswood, Texas; Angela Wrigglesworth, 35, of Houston; Kennedy Healy, 17, of Omaha, Neb.; MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Bryson Foster, 12, of Concord, N.C.; and Justin Moy, 12, of Concord, Mass.

About MDA SHOW of STRENGTH

MDA SHOW of STRENGTH continues MDA’s Labor Day tradition in a three-hour prime-time broadcast special airing on Sunday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT. The show will include entertaining performances, celebrity appearances and inspirational “stories of strength” about families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Among the celebrities and entertainers scheduled to appear are: Carrie Underwood, Pitbull, will.i.am featuring Eva Simons, Carole King, Paula Abdul, All-American Rejects, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, B.o.B, Brandy, Luke Bryan, Gavin DeGraw, Hot Chelle Rae, Karmin, Tim McGraw, Alanis Morissette, Khloé Kardashian Odom, OneRepublic and more.

In addition to being broadcast on 150 “Love Network” stations across the country, the show will be streamed on mda.org.

For information on the rich history of the telethon, visit mda.org/about/telethon-history.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

In addition to funding some 300 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases.

For the latest research news and information about diseases in MDA’s program, visit mda.org and follow MDA on Facebook (facebook.com/MDAnational) and Twitter (@MDAnews).