The Story of LAMN
LAMN began as a blog written by Shane Burcaw, a—then 19-year-old—college student living with a progressive muscle wasting disease. He started the blog to share his sense of humor, but soon discovered that readers were taking away much more from his writing than just a few laughs. Throughout the blog, Shane explained the reality of living with a disease that was slowly killing him. Hundreds of thousands of readers found inspiration in the way he stared death in the eyes, yet chose to laugh and enjoy life anyway.
The idea that life is infinitely amazing became a staple of his blog. As his Internet popularity grew, Shane and his cousin Sarah realized that more people needed to hear the positive message he was promoting.
After several days of intense brainstorming, the fledging idea for LAMN, Inc. was conceived. In a few months time, the Burcaw cousins transformed an idea to spread positivity into a nonprofit corporation with a mission to change the world. But just as a child grows and matures throughout life, so did the idea and purpose of LAMN, Inc. grow and mature during its formative stages.
LAMN, Inc. was founded to accomplish two important missions:
1. LAMN exists to raise funds for muscular dystrophy research.
There are over 30 types of muscular dystrophy diseases. They are all progressive. Many of them result in premature death. None of them have cures. However, in the past decade, scientists have made many significant breakthroughs, and researchers are closer than ever to discovering cures for many of the diseases.
Shane said it best, “I’m hopeful that a cure will be found while I’m still alive, but that’s not why I’m raising money for research. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed the slow and unavoidable destruction of my body. No one should ever have to deal with such a horrifying disease. That’s why I’m raising money: so that someday I will have played a little part in finding a cure that will save other people’s lives.”
2. LAMN exists to teach people that life is what you make of it.
All people face difficulties. LAMN serves as a constant reminder that each of us must make a fundamental choice about how to react to the challenges of life: we can allow them to bring us down, or rise above them and enjoy life in spite of adversity.
How does LAMN accomplish its mission?
Funny you should ask! We just so happened to prepare a list!
We:
- produce inspirational videos with important messages.
- sell kick ass merchandise.
- give motivational speeches at schools and universities.
- host entertainment events.
- write this blog.
Information about all of our products and services can be found on the “Ways To Help” page!
