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WEST VALLEY CITY — In spite of enduring a terminal, muscle-wasting disease, a West Valley City teenager has earned 100 merit badges and recently obtained his Eagle Scout ranking.
Austin Bennett, 14, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness that affects mostly boys.
Bennett sits in a wheelchair, but he wanted to show others that people can live their life to the fullest no matter what their circumstances are, according to his mother, Karalee Bennett.
Austin Bennett belonged to a “really good” troop, his mother said. One man specifically worked with Austin at his house when there were activities he couldn’t participate in.
“Him and I just went out into the community and just looked for merit badges that were being offered or taught,” Karalee Bennett said. “That was a good way for him to be able to get out of the house and have something to look forward to and be involved in.”
Austin was even able to attend some of the Scout camps. Though he couldn’t stay overnight, his mother drove him there and back multiple times. She said other boys have benefitted from being around Austin because they were able to help, serve and include him.
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Read more stories that aim to uplift and highlight the good in the world in KSL.com's Uplifting section.“The atmosphere is different with him there,” she said.
The two merit badges Austin enjoyed most were game design and mammal study. For his Eagle Scout Project, he collected donations for the West Valley City Animal Shelter.
It took a lot of work and dedication for Austin to earn his merit badges, his mother said. Because he is unable to lift his arms, somebody would hold his hand for him to complete some of the merit badges.
Austin enjoys Scouting because he liked the experiences he completed with the different merit badges and being part of a group.
“Austin doesn’t want to stop at ... his eagle,” Karalee Bennett said. “There’s other awards beyond that that focus on … teaching the knowledge.”
