Soccer Drafts Crown Point's Dmitri Duval From Team IMPACT

February 1, 2013

The Middlebury College soccer team recently welcomed its newest teammate when it drafted Dmitri Duval, a Crown Point, New York native, through Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges, Together) in a ceremony at the College. On Tuesday, January 29, Dmitri was on campus for a “signing day,” where he became an official member of the Middlebury College soccer team.

Team IMPACT connects children with special health needs with college sports teams. They chose to connect Dmitri with Middlebury College's soccer team because he is a huge fan of the sport and is very happy to be a member of the Middlebury athletic community.

Dmitri is six years old and was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) on August 28th, 2009. The disease affects 1-2 out of a million children each year and causes muscle weakness among other physical symptoms. His treatment included high doses of IV steroids, oral steroids and methotrexate (chemo medication). Following the treatments he was discharged three days later and continues to take oral steroids daily and methotrexate as a weekly shot. Fortunately, Dmitri is now in remission.

The leadership group from the soccer team includes: Adam Batista, Tyler Smith, Noah Goss-Woliner, Harper Williams, Dan Skayne and Deklan Robinson. The group will help Dmitri acclimate to his new team and have already started to plan some team activities.

Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and other chronic illnesses.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DmitrisMissionToFindACure