Parents of boy in 'Mitchell's Journey' reflect on their experience


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HERRIMAN — A young Herriman boy with a failing heart touched the hearts of people all over the world who began following his story on Facebook.

We have spent this week looking back on 2013 and the stories that impacted our lives.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy destroyed Mitchell Jones' heart but not his spirit.

"I just try to live those lessons he taught me," said Natalie Jones, Mitchell's mother. "He had such a heart full of gratitude. He always smiled amongst the pain. I think about that every day."

His family continues to receive hundreds of messages from people touched by his father's poignant reflections about his life .

"It's humbling to have had an impact on other people's lives," said Chris Jones, Mitchell's father.

Mitchell passed away in March but he left behind a spark that has ignited all over the world. More than 100,000 people now follow his Facebook page.

"Mitchell's journey became more than a beacon for muscular dystrophy awareness," Chris Jones said. "It has also served as a human spark, an awakening for tens of thousands of people across the world, a renewed commitment to faith, family and humanity."

Chris Jones said that the widespread influence was never something he and his wife anticipated. He spoke at the 2013 Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Connect Conference during the summer of 2013.

"Mitchell's journey has become a source of inspiration for people across all walks of life," Chris Jones said. "It isn't really the number of people that follow Mitch's journey, it's the depth of impact that his story has had on their lives."

The Jones said they will continue to fight for a cure, and Chris Jones said he feels "desperate to try and help" other young boys dying from the same disease.

"It means so much to me that through our tragedy we are helping others," Natalie Jones said.

Stories of renewed hope — of people finding light in dark places — exist all because of a little boy who lived and loved beyond his mortal heart's capacity.

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