Friday, May 11, 2012

A boy with cerebral palsy walks to his U.S. Marine dad for the first time: a must-see video


If you have a kid with cerebral palsy or another disability and you were told he might never walk, you might know how it feels to see your child take his first steps. Seeing Max toddle from Dave's arms into mine, with a big grin on his face, was one of the happiest moments of my life. I can't imagine how it feels, however, to be a soldier stationed abroad who's never seen his child with cerebral palsy walk—and come home to find that he is.
   

On Wednesday, Melissa C. put this video up on Welcome Home Blog, a site with videos of military homecomings. (Thanks to reader Jenny for telling me about it). As Melissa writes, "When my husband left on his deployment, our 6-year-old son could not walk on his own. He has cerebral palsy. Doctors originally said he would never walk or do much of anyting. While daddy was away, he learned to walk. For his homecoming, we set it up for Michael to walk to his daddy for the first time ever! We kept the fact that he could walk a secret the whole time his dad was gone."

Watching this video took me right back to the day Max first walked; I sobbed after I watched it. I'm so happy for these parents. And if I know anything, I know that boy will keep right on amazing them.


Image: Screen shot from the video

10 comments:

  1. Incredible! This is what it's all about; the fact that I don't know these people AT ALL, but I completely understand their feelings, struggles, and tremendous joy!!

    Thank you so much for sharing this video. It made my day!

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  2. Brought back memories. I think I had as many tears watching this as I did when my Derek first walked.

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  3. That's fantastic! I could never have kept this a secret :)

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  4. I am so glad that Jenny, the other reader, notified you of this incredible video. I couldn't figure out how to do that after watching it yesterday. I know how they felt as my granddaughter walked for the first time a few weeks ago defying the doctors and naysayers. Go Madeline - no one can stop you now!

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  5. I thought of you and Max when I first saw this.. though I don't know you I've been reading the blog for about a year now. I have a cousin with CP who is now 22, but growing up playing with her I think made me a more understanding person and certainly influenced my desire to work with special needs kids. Have a wonderful mother's day! I'll be sure to pass along any other great video or other tidbits I find online that I think you/ your readers will enjoy!

    - Jenny

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  6. So great. Probably shouldn't have watched at work, though. I managed to keep from crying at my desk, but just barely. Totally worth it, though. Thanks for posting this.

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Thanks for sharing!



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