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Here is one of the most inspirational stories Big Al has ever heard.

Big Al
June 1, 2012

Peter Grandich sent me this story which I felt compelled to post. It shows courage and how people can support each other. As I watched this video, I thought of our family on this site and how we strive to help each other.

To watch this video click here.

Here is the story:

Inspiring elementary schooler with cerebral palsy runs amazing 400-meter race

The young man who refuses to be beaten by his own limitations in the video above is Matt W. (last name unknown), who attends Worthington (Ohio) Colonial Hills Elementary School. Like most elementary schools in America, Colonial Hills has a once-a-year track and field day, and like most kids, Matt was clearly eager to take part.

However, unlike most of his peers, Matt suffers from spastic cerebral palsy, a debilitating condition that limits his ability to undergo rigorous physical exercise of any kind. Incredibly, despite knowing those limitations, Matt decided to run the 400-meter event (roughly quarter of a mile) on the school’s 200-meter track.

The result was absolutely inspiring. While all the other students in the event finished far in front of Matt, the student athlete simply refused to stop running, chugging his way around the track on his own, even as it appeared he might collapse.

Naturally, the inspirational Colonial Hills student needed plenty of encouragement, and he first got that from the school’s gym teacher, John Blaine, who trotted up alongside his pupil and walked and then ran alongside him for the remainder of the race.


Then, after all the other fifth- and sixth-graders in the race had finished, they joined in, running over to follow Matt around the track and chanting, “Let’s go Matt, let’s go!” until he finished, spun around, hugged his gym teacher and then accepted a series of high fives from fellow students, all while his mother watched on, sobbing with emotion from the kindness shown to her son.

It’s an inspiring video that shows the power of positive thinking and what children can do with a little encouragement. No matter what Matt’s athletic future holds, he, his family and his classmates will always have his gritty, inspiring and joyous 400-meter jaunt during an elementary school field day to look back upon and smile.

This story and video is shown courtesy of “Prep Rally”

Let me know how this affected you.


God Bless you all!

Big Al


Discussion
4 Comments
    Jun 01, 2012 01:15 AM

    Forty years I taught high school in a small town in N. Ontario and voluntarily took on coaching both track and field and wrestling. There was a 15 year old boy obviously suffering from muscular dystrophy who desperately wanted to be part of the wrestling team, and we had one of the best wrestling programs in the province. Everybody knew he would never win a match but he was supported and encouraged by fellow wrestlers and coaches and he was so proud to wear the school colours in an official competition. Yes, he lost but I’ll bet that was one of the proudest moments of his high school years. Not many years later he needed a wheelchair to get around, and not because of wrestling injuries, just the progressive deterioration that comes with MD.

      Jun 01, 2012 01:21 AM

      Morning Arnie,

      There truly a lot of good people in this world.

      Thanks for this story!

      Big Al

    Jun 01, 2012 01:30 PM

    We can depend on Peter G to find good stories like this. Thank you PG.

    Al, thanks for the updates in Seattle — we need to hear them too, but no offense: I like this kind of story better!

      Jun 01, 2012 01:32 PM

      How could I possibly take offense, John W? I am in complete agreement!

      Big Al