Joseph Andrew Espinoza

was the most beautiful baby, I fell in love instantly. Weighing 5lb.6oz and measured 19 ½

inches he was just perfect. After carrying him in my belly I was so ready to finally hold

him in my arms and love him. I looked at him and I said, “you're my baby” he smiled and

melted my heart. When it was time for us to come home I made sure I had everything I

needed for him. Joseph became my pride and joy. As my son Joseph grew he started to

turn over, then sitting up, then some scrawling, and eventually he took his first steps

when he was about a year and two months old. Everything seemed normal and he was

always smiling and happy. He started to say his first words mum, ball, and dog. I was a

proud momma. As time passed family members suggested I should bring Joseph to his

Doctor because the way he was walking seemed a bit abnormal. I took him and his doctor

at the time evaluated him and things seemed normal. As Joseph became three years old

and had a cousin of the same age, something with the way he got up from the floor and

climbed to the couch seems like he was struggling. By this time I had my daughter Leah

Joseph’s baby sister. I decided to bring him to his new Doctor and she agreed something

did not seem right. At the age of 4 years old Joseph had a genetic testing recommended

by the Neurologist. My worst nightmare had come true. He was diagnosed with Duchenne

Muscular Dystrophy, something I had never heard before. A terminal disease that affects

the muscles as it deteriorates over time. Why would my perfect child have this horrible

disease? Well I found out that I was a carrier for this gene and I passed it down to him. I

knew as time went by he was not going to be able to do the things other boys would. So

I decided that Duchenne was not going to define us. We were going to be there to

support him no matter what. As he learned to ride a tricycle, a scooter, even a bike with

small wheels on the sides. It showed us Joseph was a fighter and he was not going to

give up. His Bravery was such an inspiration to us. He lit up a room with his presence

because he was such a happy kid. As he got older and had to use a walker, then a

wheelchair to help with walking long distances. I knew eventually he would become

wheelchair bound as much as it broke our hearts to see that this horrible disease was

taking over. Joseph knew it was something he needed to get around. I was so amazed to

see that it did not change him. He was still the same happy proud kid that held his head

up high. It wasn’t always easy. He had days where he would get frustrated because

things were becoming more difficult for him. Like school, although he had

accommodations it was hard to keep up with his classmates. He made friends wherever

he went and they were always willing to help him just like his cousins did. Joseph was a

regular kid that loved Cars, Spiderman, Transformers, Pokemon, Naruto, Dragon Ball, but

most of all he loved playing video games he had all the consoles. He loved watching

movies and listening to music. He loved to dance and sing. He also loved his dogs Raider

and Tank. Joseph definitely loved his family, his dad, little sister and me. He brought so

much joy to everyone he knew and he cared about everyone. It was not easy to deal with

Duchennes he had to get poked and as he got older it was so hard to find his veins and

that was painful he would end up with so many bruises. There were many doctor

appointments and tests. Joseph was part of a clinical trial. It was very difficult and he had

to endure a lot but it also helped us know how he was progressing and we hoped by

doing this it may help find future treatments and hopefully one day a cure. He had to take

many medications as he got older which had side effects like osteoporosis and others

due to the steroids that are used to slow down the progression of Duchenne. The reality

of my son's life was harsh and difficult but he told me that he accepted the way he was.

Joseph is my hero because although he endured so much he loved life and he wanted to

live life to the fullest his dream was to travel to Japan, New York, and to visit the Niagara

falls but unfortunately that won't be possible because he recently passed on January 10,

2025. He was only 17 years old, so close to his 18th birthday, so close to his high school

graduation and his sister's Sweet 15th. Now we will do these things in his honor. Our

beautiful soul has gone to heaven and he gets to fly high where he is no longer suffering

nor is he confined to a wheelchair. We love you immensely and miss you more as the

days pass. You are our inspiration. Thank you for being our son.

-Forever In Our Hearts.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Monday, February 3, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Pierce Brothers Valhalla, 10621 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606. Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Pierce Brothers Valhalla.