Stories to keep you inspired...

[smooch]

Inspired (and possibly a little humble...)

Over the last couple of years as I stumbled upon stories on news broadcasts, print, and web articles, I began keeping a mental file of some great stories of motivation/inspiration that I love to go back to and review from time to time.

These stories moved me beyond words. Accounts of people overcoming insurmountable physical obstacles and yet never complaining about or making excuses for their condition or situation. They do this just trying to overcome their hardship and to be the best that they can, and yet all the while they surpass even the greatest of expectations most average people ever even have for themselves.

I thought this site would be the perfect place to share a compilation of the most remarkable and inspirational stories of hope as it pertains to health and athletics. With that in mind, I gathered a few of my favorite stories to post below and share, and I encourage everyone else to post and contribute to this thread as well. We call all learn a great lesson in courage, faith, perseverance, determination, and these enduring attitudes!


Enjoy!

[smooch]

TEAM HOYT

My favorite story by far is the father/son Hoyt team. Many of you may have already heard of this story as it is very popular among e-mail chain “enthusiasts” and has been featured on countless news stories.

The most touching aspect of this story is not only the fact that Dick Hoyt is able to physically endure the grueling aspects of marathons and triathalons (including the Iron Man) while pushing and pulling his immobile adult son Rick, but the simple fact that he NEVER gave up on his son. Even when doctors told him from birth that they should put him away somewhere and that he would never be anything but a vegetable, Dick resisted. Together with his wife, Dick vowed to raise Rick in the most “normal” environment possible. It was soon discovered that Rick was very intelligent, but had a difficult communication barrier to overcome. Dick and his wife made a conscious effort to include Rick in everyday life, never to lose opportunities because of his physical condition.

http://www.teamhoyt.com/

[smooch]

ADAM BENDER

Adam is an 8 year old boy who plays soccer, is catcher for the Astros in the Southeastern rookie league, and quarterback in the YMCA flag football league…all on one leg…with no prosthetic. This little boy is a true inspiration to all ages.

Article: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....,4002566.story

[smooch]

John is an 18 year old recent graduate with cancer. When diagnosed in 2006, he was only expected to live a few short months. Two years later, still setting out to defy the odds, John has kept his spirits high and lives life to the fullest by playing ball and inspiring everyone around him. John refuses to let cancer get the best of him as long as he is still here.

John's site:
http://courageforlifefoundation.org/

Article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=3388581

Article: http://www.theloveofsports.com/index..._john_challis/

>>

[smooch]

ERIK WEIHENMAYER

Ever hear about the blind man that reached the top of Mt. Everest? That would be Erik…a teacher, coach, author, and motivational speaker. Never afraid to fail…

Oh, and he also skis, skydives, and runs marathons on side


Article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/fea...lind_ambition/

[Rockwild]

Everett Suffers Fracture To Cervical Spine Story:
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news_5221.html


Kevin Everett - From Buffalo Bills... Walking again after a Fracture to cervical spine. Amazing story.



Video few weeks after the fracture. The stadium went crazy when they showed that video on the jumbo screen... even thou the Bills lost badly that game no one remembers it for that..

One thing no one really paid attention too, is the owner of the Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson denotes millions of dollars a year to spinal cord research, to think one day it saved one of his players lifes.

"While the NFL had ceased funding, the Miami Project continued to receive annual grants from Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who is one of the center's top benefactors." http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...98266490_x.htm

"Though neglected by some, Ralph Wilson, the owner of the Buffalo Bills, is one grant maker who is willing to take the risk. Wilson has donated millions of dollars over the last several years to this research with the majority of funding going to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami. " http://www.rwmrf.org/news_pubs/everett.html

[heyzeus909]

smooch, were you the one that sent me the Team Hoyt story? I remember reading it once before, and it was pretty moving.

Good stuff.

[smooch]

smooch, were you the one that sent me the Team Hoyt story? I remember reading it once before, and it was pretty moving.

Good stuff.

Hmmm, not sure...

I first heard about the Hoyt story a couple years ago via e-mail with a video clip.

Even though I like to forward these types of e-mails occasionally, I think you may have received it from someone else. Not surprisingly, it is a very popular story

[CLENCEO]

My son is my motivation. It always seems to be something very personal to motivate any individual to success.
I was a mechanic for Mercedes, 12 years working at a dealership. I maxed out at 90k a year...pretty freaking good. I have my son, best thing in the world!
Then things slowly started to go down hill...child support, rent, business declined. Financially & emotionally I declined.

I started to train my body( 8yrs ago) hey, nobody can take that from me. My son, is pretty big for a 7 year old. 4ft9in @ 90lbs. Yea..imagine hearing "daddy...piggie back" I do it...because I can.

Back to my devotion. So I train my self, not for a great looking body. To be functional, to move smoothly. How I look, is the result of my training. To be able to stress my mind & my body at the same time, to come out on top.

I took charge...I quit my job six months ago. Started training others, mainly with kettlebells. I'm facing another hurtle in life, I slipped up a bit. I got back on track. What I see: my son,my bells, my family have kept me focused. The few things nobody can take away from me.

These things keep me devoted

[smooch]

MARJORIE NEWLIN

(note: Marjorie sadly passed away in January 2008 of leukemia)

When is the last time you have seen an elderly woman pumping serious iron in the gym? At 72, Marjorie was frustrated with her struggle to carry 50 lb cat litter bags home from the store. Not only did she begin daily training in the gym, but she refrained from the stereotypical “girlie workouts” by choice. She would have been 88 this August.

Yes, it seems this woman had some serious genetic advantage; however it is the drive and initiative she demonstrated so late in life that makes her impressive and inspiring.


This article is 2 years old:
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2006-08-03/naked.shtml