For over 40 years, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon has been a part of our lives.

Its goal is to raise money for MDA's vital service and research programs all the while providing some incredible entertainment.
It all helps people like Chris Weiss who found out about his condition a few years ago and now his son faces the same battle.

"I really never knew anything until I was 30 years old," said Weiss.

Weiss used to be a mountain of a man who liked to play drums and sing. But that all changed just a few short years ago.

"I'm diagnosed with a disease called Mitochondrial Myopathy. It definitely has changed my life. To go from walking on stilts for 10 to 12 hours a day, hanging sheet rock to riding a scooter," said Weiss.

Chris is dealing with a disease that has affected his balance and his energy.

"I couldn't keep up with other people but you wouldn't think anything of that. But now looking back, I realize that's why I couldn't keep up. That's why I always tired out easily compared to this guy and that guy," said Weiss.

Even keeping his train of thought can be difficult for the former contractor.

"It's real frustrating. I catch myself walking around in circles all the time because I can't remember and I can't think," said Weiss.

But the MDA stepped in and is helping Chris battle his disease.

"Without MDA I wouldn't have been able to go to the doctors. MDA has done so much for our family, anything from doctors visits and helping me get this scooter," said Weiss.

But after being diagnosed with Mitochondrial Myopathy back in 2003, Chris was worried about his son Dustin. Turns out Dustin has the same battle in front of him. The MDA once again stepped in.

"Dustin has gone to MDA camp for two years in a row. He has a blast, it's just great," said Chris.

"They sent me to camp and that was really fun. We do archery, we have casino night, we go swimming, we have dances, and a ropes course. It's a lot of fun," said Dustin.

"I can't say enough about MDA. They're like a flock of angels when you need them," said Chris.

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is set to kick-off after our 10 o'clock newscast on Sunday night and will run through Monday.