the Byrds

Chris was born and raised in Gulfport, MS and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1995. He has been working as a Clinical Research Associate since 1998 and has worked for various leading pharmaceutical companies. Although a southern boy through and through, he has lived in Phoenix since 2000. Besides his family, of course, his passions are following the Chelsea Football Club based in London, England as well as following his beloved Maroon and White (MSU Bulldogs).

Cassandra was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. She graduated from Arizona State University (but still bleeds U of AZ Wildcat blue and red) in 2002, and worked for American Express for 10 years. When she is not administering any of the various therapies for Kyle and Lauren, you can find her on a golf course or at a Coyotes hockey game, and Twittering like a mad-woman. She is a founding member of the Family Advisory Council for the Neuroscience Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, serves on the board of the Arizona Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and is a regular contributor to Everyday Childhood.

The Byrd Family officially got their start in March of 2002 when Chris and Cassandra were married. Their first daughter, Jenna was born in February of 2004. She is a smart, funny, healthy 1st grader who plays the violin, has a crush on the Jonas brothers, and loves arts & crafts. She is a compassionate big sister and a great help to the family by keeping her little brother and sister entertained with silly dancing or other antics. Lauren and Kyle came along in June of 2007, and while grateful for their charming personalities, the Byrd family has yet to adjust to the increase noise level in their household.

Both Chris and Cassandra are very much involved with the local Families of SMA (www.fsma.org) and the MDA and regularly participate in walks, events, and other fundraisers.

(Coyotes Camp 2010 Day 1 - Sep 2010)

(Byrd Family 2010)