Matt Woodrum is an 11 year old boy with Cerebral Palsy. Although he was given the option to sit out during his school’s Field Day, he chose to compete in the 400-meter race. Despite his disability he completed the two laps around the track in under 5 minutes, and in the process inspired not just his classmates, but everyone else who has been touched by his story.
As Matt tires partway through, his gym teacher joins his side to encourage the 5th grader to continue. Inspired by his strength, fellow classmates begin to jog behind him with cheers – even abandoning their own activities to be there with him as he crosses the finish line. The best part of the entire thing? No one knew it was being filmed, besides the boy’s mom who was behind the camera!
Stories like this warm my heart – children can be wonderful reminders of how, when we stop focusing on self, we discover our natural instincts are actually to love and support each other.
September 5, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Oh my! Thank you for sharing that. I bawled the whole time and can’t seem to stop. Kindness and inspiration comes in all forms.
September 15, 2012 at 2:51 pm
It really does, and sometimes in the most unexpected places! I’m so glad it touched you, I’m sorry for making you cry so much though! It’s nearly impossible to watch without sobbing, I should have put some sort of warning in the post :)
September 15, 2012 at 8:33 pm
hahaha…..yeah with a disclaimer that the price of kleenex is not part of admission. ;)
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September 5, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Made me cry. As someone who also has CP, it touched my heart even more. <3
September 15, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I was crying as well! I’m so glad it moved you <3 Thank you much for stopping by and commenting!
September 5, 2012 at 5:14 pm
beautiful boy..beautiful coach..beautiful kids…beautiful mom…thanks for sharing this. <3
September 7, 2012 at 6:21 pm
I couldn’t agree more! Thank YOU! <3
September 5, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Oh that is a most wonderful story! I choked up! What a strong person he is and how lovely to see that we as human beings can support others. Thanks for sharing this and reinstating my faith in mankind.
:)
September 7, 2012 at 6:21 pm
He is incredibly strong, isn’t he? I have to admit, I was in awe of him the whole time, I’m so glad it moved you as well! :)
September 10, 2012 at 7:17 am
Yes very
:)
September 6, 2012 at 3:32 am
My memory of childhood was that kids could be pretty mean. It’s nice to know it is not always like that.
September 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm
That was my memory as well! I agree, it was definitely heart-warming to see that there are people out there raising their kids to be compassionate.
September 6, 2012 at 9:54 am
hi, i just nominated you for the wonderful team member readership award!!! :-)
September 7, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to check it out!! :)
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September 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Oh my gosh, Diana, I feel so honored! Thank you so much for your kind words, seriously, you made my day!!
September 7, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Glad to hear it! You made mine with your post – I was crying…no sobbing through the whole thing!
September 7, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I was too!!
September 15, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Me as well!!
September 7, 2012 at 3:58 am
What a wonderful share, a true inspiration to anyone feeling they are down and out… the tenacity of the lad is heart rendering… and I would award him the saying that he “Laughs in the face of adversity” and to him go the honours of showing the world what can be done if you want to… lovely share… thank you…
September 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I couldn’t have said it better! How very true, if he tackles the rest of the challenges in life with the same tenacity he faced this race with, he will go quite far in life. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the comment!
September 7, 2012 at 7:31 am
Thanks Andrea for sharing that wonderful story. It is very encouraging. When we are going through a rough patch, reading about others who have been successful with even less to work with, is inspiring indeed.
September 7, 2012 at 5:21 pm
I feel the same way :) I’m so glad you found it inspiring as well!
September 7, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Dude. What a great story. Nice post.
September 7, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Isn’t it though? Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!
September 7, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Andrea for a wonderful post – cried all th way through. Very uplifting in restoring my faith in the human spirit. Diana sent me. I am so glad to have found you.
September 7, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I cried all the way through as well.
September 8, 2012 at 5:23 am
Reblogged this on Momentum of Joy and commented:
Watch this without crying – I dare you! ;) Beautiful post Andrea.
September 20, 2012 at 5:51 pm
:) Thank you Jo!
I know, right? You’d have to have a heart of stone not to cry!
September 8, 2012 at 6:05 am
Cried! I shared this on my fb page!
September 15, 2012 at 2:28 pm
It’s definitely share-worthy, isn’t it? So glad you enjoyed it and passed it along :)
September 8, 2012 at 11:01 am
If one can watch this without crying they’re way stronger than me!! What a wonderful testament to this boy and his friends.
September 15, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I don’t know how you could manage to watch it without crying! I couldn’t even tell my mom about it without crying, haha!
It really is such a fantastic display of friendship and love.
September 16, 2012 at 2:03 am
I thought so too..
September 8, 2012 at 11:32 am
So heart warming ~
September 8, 2012 at 11:38 am
I forgot to add, while watching I had a movie on in the background and it was at that point where the music was climatic and it took me a while to realize it was the movie and not this clip!! Perfect timing for such a heroic little guy. Those children are our future – praise God!
September 15, 2012 at 2:14 pm
:) I love that it lined up like that, what a perfect little moment.
It really is such an inspiration to see children full of such kindness and love! Blessings to you!
September 15, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Isn’t it? :)
September 17, 2012 at 1:45 am
Wonderful – thanks for sharing this.
September 20, 2012 at 4:56 pm
My pleasure!
September 19, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Reblogged this on A Grateful Man and commented:
Matt’s legs may have issues, but his heart and spirit are huge. Thank you Andrea for sharing this inspiring post.
Russ
September 20, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Thank you so much for the re-post, Russ! I’m glad it touched you as much as it did me.
September 19, 2012 at 7:17 pm
When there is so much animus and lack of civility, it’s refreshing and heartening to see this!! This man has done a wonderful job with these children, as have their parents. And way to go, Matt!!
September 20, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Very well put, there is so much talk of bullying in schools etc, it’s lovely to see positive reminders as well! They said the coach has been working with kids for 25 years – I can only imagine how many kids he helped and lives he touched. Truly the kind of person we need working with our youth!
September 19, 2012 at 8:24 pm
A tear jerker – a beautiful one though!
September 20, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Isn’t it though? I’m glad you enjoyed it!