Determination Personified, Young Boy With Incredible Heart

[Hoofbite]

Amazing.

[hipfake08]

Cool. Great for the kids.

[Hostile]

That killed me, and I loved it.

[Faerluna]

Those kids are awesome! What a great video.

[WV Cowboy]

My heart is completely torn into two different directions on stuff like this.

Yes, it is heart-warming and inspirational. And Matt is one determined young man.

But as a youth sports coach for 20 yrs myself, I always try to find each kids strength and each one's weakness. I then try to exploit the strength and hide the weakness.

In this case it seems like it exploited his weakness. Running a distance run with bent and twisted legs seems to be asking a lot of Matt. But if track and field is what Matt wanted to do, then helping him through it was awesome.

Sometimes kids just want to be normal, .. just like the other kids, and I'm sure that means a great deal to Matt.

In our pre-game prayer, we always give thanks for our physical health, and athletic ability. Both gifts from God. Not all kids have physical health and athletic ability, .. and I try to let my kids know not to take it for granted.

See what I mean by being torn into two directions.

I will never understand why some kids can run and jump, while some have bent and twisted limbs.

Why must some bear that burden?

My heart aches for kids like Matt who just want to be able to do the things that most kids can do, that those kids just take for granted.

I hope so, .. and I am sure that someone is exploiting Matt's strength's.

[CCBoy]

You want a real tear and true inspiration, watch this:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highsc...154523256.html

[Hoofbite]

Originally Posted by WV Cowboy

My heart is completely torn into two different directions on stuff like this.

Yes, it is heart-warming and inspirational. And Matt is one determined young man.

But as a youth sports coach for 20 yrs myself, I always try to find each kids strength and each one's weakness. I then try to exploit the strength and hide the weakness.

In this case it seems like it exploited his weakness. Running a distance run with bent and twisted legs seems to be asking a lot of Matt. But if track and field is what Matt wanted to do, then helping him through it was awesome.

Interesting take about hiding one's weakness. Not sure hiding is all that beneficial in everyday life because it would be much preferred to improve on one's weakness but for sports it's probably the most efficient way to go with limited practice time and commitment from the player.

I disagree about exploiting his weakness only because his weakness (physical ability) is entirely obvious and it would probably take someone all of a few seconds to recognize it having seen him for the first time. I'm not sure you can hide it other than to deny him the chance to make his own decisions.

More than anything, I think the video highlights his strength. Mental fortitude and persistance. Off the charts with this kid. While he might look at others more physically capable and think "what could be", I think there are plenty who look at him and wonder the exact same if only they had the will power that he had.

Although I doubt most would trade places, I have to think there are probably a good number of people who are a bit ashamed to think of their shortcomings in a perfectly capable body when all they had to do was truly apply themselves.

Sometimes kids just want to be normal, .. just like the other kids, and I'm sure that means a great deal to Matt.

In our pre-game prayer, we always give thanks for our physical health, and athletic ability. Both gifts from God. Not all kids have physical health and athletic ability, .. and I try to let my kids know not to take it for granted.

See what I mean by being torn into two directions.

I will never understand why some kids can run and jump, while some have bent and twisted limbs.

Why must some bear that burden?

My heart aches for kids like Matt who just want to be able to do the things that most kids can do, that those kids just take for granted.

I hope so, .. and I am sure that someone is exploiting Matt's strength's.

I know what you mean.

[danielofthesaints]

[Cajuncowboy]

Love that!

[CCBoy]

by a huge heart:




http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highsc...154523256.html

[rocboy22]

Then go to the link

[CCBoy]

No, I was trying to be a ******** with a boring crapload...as if the heart of an elementary kid with cerebral palsy needs any more description than to tell it is inspiring.

Sometimes specificity beyond common sense is purely STUPID...but if one has to ring tap to point out a great act of love by kids....then forget it.

[rocboy22]

Originally Posted by CCBoy

No, I was trying to be a ******** with a boring crapload...as if the heart of an elementary kid with cerebral palsy needs any more description than to tell it is inspiring.

Sometimes specificity beyond common sense is purely STUPID...

Im sorry. I meant it like a continuation of your post. Like you want this...go to the link. I went and felt the same as you. Sorry for the confusion.

[CCBoy]

Originally Posted by rocboy22

Im sorry. I meant it like a continuation of your post. Like you want this...go to the link. I went and felt the same as you. Sorry for the confusion.

No problem...I was just explaining why I posted as I did. It was pulled off this board once. And to that mod, the message was meant. As a great message was provided if interested. You know...

[Bigdog]

That definitely brought a tear to my eye. Great motivation for those other kids. It was like today at the grocery store when this lady at the next register did not have enough money to pay for her groceries and I could tell she was on some kind of government assistance. There were several people waiting as some were getting very impatient as the lady said can you put the groceries on the side while I go to my car to get some money. I noticed that some of the people now were getting very upset (rolling their eyes, himming and hawing, etc.). I notice that she was not buying any alcohol or cigarettes but just basic food. I turned around and asked the cashier how much she owes and she told me. I handed the cashier the money to the look of bewilderment of the other customers. She looked at me and said are you sure. I told her without a doubt. I left the store before the lady came back in. My little girl who was with me told me that was nice thing that I did. The satisfaction of my little girl being proud of her dad was more than the cost of the groceries in my eyes.