Felix Wu contemplates his next move during a recent game of chess at his grandparents’ house. Jerry Powers photo

It’s not unusual for a preteen to head out for the mall and take his best friends with him, but 12-year-old Felix Wu won’t be doing any shopping next Saturday.

The Beckendorff Junior High School seventh-grader is participating as a team captain in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual Stride & Ride at Katy Mills mall.

His mother Lisa Wu said Felix has about 20 friends on his team. Team members collect donations for the MDA, culminating with the Stride & Ride.

"Last year he was pretty shy and wasn’t a team captain," Wu said. "But, this year he has already started collecting."

"I’m not sure how much money we’ll raise," Felix said, "but I hope we get a lot."

Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which mainly affects boys, when he was 4, Felix relies on the electric-powered scooter provided by MDA to get around.

Early signs

"We were living in the Rice University area when he was little," Wu said. "In that area of the city, I imagine a lot of the parents at the pre-school were in the medical field. One of Felix’s pre-K teachers told me another parent had noticed how Felix moved and suggested we get him tested. I never found out who that parent was, but I will always be grateful.

"If it’s not diagnosed early, you run the risk of doing more harm if you try to get them to do the things they can’t do, and it causes more suffering," she said.

"When Felix was a little baby he was heavy, which is common," Wu said.

"His pre-K teacher noticed he couldn’t run, couldn’t climb stairs, and after he had played in the pool, he was too tired to walk from the pool to the classroom. I didn’t know anything was wrong."

Wu, who is a software developer for Stewart Title Co., said they also had their second son checked and he isn’t affected by the disease.

"They say if you have one child with muscular dystrophy, there is a chance your other children can be affected," Wu said.

Felix’s younger brother, Alex, 10, attends Bonnie Holland Elementary School.

Her husband Gang, 42, a research scientist at the University of Texas Medical Center, came to the United States in 1991. Wu arrived a year later. Both their sons were born in Houston.

"I like math a lot," said Felix, who is an A-student. "Oh, and I like social studies, too."

"He’s very, very smart," said his mother. "He has always liked school."

"I like playing chess with my brother; sometimes he beats me," Felix said. "And we also play Yu-Gi-Oh,"

And, according to Felix, who spends time playing with and taking care of his turtle, Squirtle, he enjoys playing piano and taking piano lessons.

Felix, who speaks fluent Chinese, likes to travel. His parents took him to China when he was 8. "It was really interesting," he said.

His mother said Felix is not as affected by the disease as some other patients.

"When Felix goes to a new school, I have to go in and talk to the teacher," Wu said, "to make sure they understand, and what they can expect. Felix works slower than other kids."

"When I’m with normal kids," he said, "I feel a little different. But when I’m with other muscular dystrophy patients, I feel lucky."

Family reunion

Alexandria Hodge, MDA spokeswoman, said this is the ninth year for the Stride & Ride, which is also held at the Woodlands Mall on the same day.

"This is a family reunion event which we have every year," she said. "It’s a one-mile walk, or ride, for those in wheelchairs. We estimate that each walker raises about $80, which is enough to fund one minute of research. Participants can designate whether they want their money to go to research, to specific types of muscular dystrophy, our programs, or whatever they want."

Hodge said MDA funds research as well as clinics at Methodist and Texas Children’s hospitals.

"We are a support group for families," she said, "and we also fund a one-week summer camp in Burton, which is free to our families."

Hodge said the event usually draws 300-400 participants.

Registration is at 8 a.m. and the Victory Walk, as it’s known, begins at 9 a.m., Hodge said. "We have mascots, and music; it’s a fun, festive event."

WANT TO HELP?

What: MDA’s Stride & Ride

When: 8 a.m. March 27

Where: Katy Mills mall

Details: Call 713-522-3679 or e-mail aclary@mdausa.org