Unexpected events are often viewed as obstacles to a fulfilling future. For a mother, a most frightening happening in life is discovering her child has a serious illness. It is an experience she would rather endure herself.

When Beverly Ruiz talks about the day three years ago that her young son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, her eyes still well-up with tears.

But her gentle smile quickly lights up her face as she explains how her child’s i...