by Audrey Hrachian
about the author:
Peter Hrachian was a great inspiration and role model in our Duchenne community. He and his wife, Audrey, were married for 17 years. Peter passed away in August 2022 and Audrey continues to inspire our Duchenne community by sharing their love story.
I Was His Wife
Peter Hrachian was an amazing man. He faced the challenges of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy head on like many DMD Warriors.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to know him and witness perseverance. He paved the way and gave hope to younger boys with DMD.
I was his wife and caregiver for many years. We met in late 2002 and got married in 2005. I was 24 and he was 29. We were married for 17 years.
We traveled in an accessible van with special hand controls. He drove us across the country and to family events. He drove his van until it became too difficult.
The metaphorical road we traveled was very difficult but we continued as long as we were able.
He departed from Earth on August 29, 2022 at 46 from c-diff complications, not the Duchenne (of course the diagnosis didn’t help).
He was my whole life and I miss him so much.
His amazing family is helping me through it and I am grateful to have them. I am grateful for family, friends, neighbors and our cat Annie who loved to ride on Peter’s footrest.
I take comfort that he is no longer suffering and that his wheelchair is no longer needed. We can still feel him around us through the difficult moments. I know that he is helping to guide me into my next endeavor.
Your amazing. Im 45 w/DMD and only married 2yrs. I hope to share the level of strength and commitment that 17yrs would bring. Peter looks like an amazing individual and im sorry i never had the opportunity to meet him. Sorry for your loss. Im sure he’s running in heaven and will be sitting on a bench looking down as he awaits his loving wife to be reunited with him one day.
Thanks so much for the kind words! He was amazing and I’m sure that you are too! I wish you all the best and many wonderful years of marriage to come!
Audrey
I am sorry for your loss. I am married to my husband who has DMD as well. For seven years in counting. I wish my husband family was like that. He had a brother that died. So I try not to take in too much to heart. I think, it has to deal a lot with that. I am happy for you. My mother in law told me, I stolen her son away from her and going to take advantage of him. It can be difficult. All it takes is communication and commitment. I wish there was a group just for us DMD Warriors who are married.