Despite having the lifetime physical disability known as Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy, Andy Siwarski excelled at helping others with disabilities live more productive and fun lives. From the age of 11 months throughout fourth grade, Andy had the ability to walk like other children his age. But this particular type of MD is a progressive muscle wasting disease and Andy would eventually have to use first a manual wheelchair and then a motorized wheelchair in junior high.

Through junior high and high school, Andy continue to excel at achieve good grades although he was gradually losing the ability to control of his muscles. In high school, he began to focus on his ability to understand and master computer programming and led a team of his fellow students working on desktop publishing projects including a DARE awareness booklet, high school play programs, and athletic program as well. In 1995, he graduated from John Glen High School Cum Laude and won the Outstanding Student Populations Award for a Student in Career and Technical Education for his excellence in desktop publishing.

In 1995, he enrolled at Schoolcraft College to continue his education towards a Computer Graphics Technology Degree and would maintain a 3.628 GPA until the time of his death in 2001.

Andy was also an annual volunteer for the Michigan CP/LA Victory Games and MDA Summer Camp always finding a way to use his computer talents to help the cause and make life more efficient and enjoyable for others.

From 1985-1997 Andy excelled in track and field events competing as an athlete with a disability consistently placing as a top three finisher in events. But perhaps his biggest personal accomplishment became President of the Wheelchair Hockey League (WCHL) in 1996 after his friend and WCHL founder Todd Pasant passed away. At the time, the league became the only wheelchair hockey opportunity for athletes with disabilities within the state of Michigan and under Andy's leadership it grew to include over 30 players with five different teams. Andy was instrumental in every aspect of managing the league including design of the league logo, creating rule manuals and fund raising events, securing venues for games, and creating and maintaining the league's website.

Andy passed away in 2001 just a month shy of his 25th birthday but served as an inspiration and motivating force for countless young people and adults throughout his life.

Congratulations Andy!