Training + Determination = Inspiration + PT and OT

Running a Race

Start of Evansdale Run for Fun

In 2011, Brian completed three 5K races. The final one was a Turkey trot 8 days before the accident. This weekend, he finished the 2014 Evansdale 5K Run for Fun.  He completed a few shorter races since the accident.  This hilly 5K was inspirational for Ellen and I to see.  In 2012 Brian participated in the 1K portion of the race.  He was in the wheelchair and finished the race on foot with help from his mom.   In 2013 - he walked the 1K in a rainstorm and finished it with his Grandma and Grandpa Laffey.

At 3 Mile Mark with Grandma Murkison

Brian at Finish of Evansdale Run for Fun

A number of people that were present at the 2012 and 2013 race were at the finish line of 2014.  I know it was inspiring to others.  How can it not be?  I have a video clip from 2014 here.

Preparing for any race takes training and determination.  I knew that Brian could do it physically. He barely broke a sweat.  Him wanting to do it was the challenge.  The reward for training is doing well in the race.  That has not always been an easy motivational tool.  It is not easy, that is why you do it.  At the finish, he got plenty of congrats from teachers, family, and parents of other children. His brother gave him a water bottle shower on his head at the finish line in celebration.

Brian had many other kids come and congratulate him at the finish.  That was the highlight for me.  Hopefully recognition from his peers will motivate him to train more in the future.


Baseball

In the Outfield

Scoring a run

Brian has participated with a baseball league at Briarlake Baptist Church again this year. He played in one game and one practice so far.  He did get some hits in the game, and scored a run.  That is what he remembers and what is fun for him. By participating gets free OT (Occupational Therapy) that comes from playing baseball helps him.  The process of holding a bat with both hands and swinging it helps many of the hand and arm muscles that he has worked for hours with his specialists.  Just putting on a baseball glove on his left hand has stretched his hand out in ways that his Therapists, his Electric Stimulus, and his at home Therapists (aka Ellen) do all the time.

With Coach Rusty

The practice also helps him learn how to be a part of a team.   If his team (The Cubs) scores a run, that is good even if he is out. He has learned to encourage his team mates.  In the game he played he started smash talking the other team after he scored.  Deservedly so, coach Rusty fussed at him for that.  I liked to see his ambition, but the "you are going down" to the Briarlake "Braves" was a bit much.  He took the coaches comments well. Life lessons.  



Turner Field

Watching the Atlanta Braves

In 2012, we got some tickets to an Atlanta Braves game.  They were actually a gift from the Briarlake Baseball team that year.  We went on to a hot Fathers Day day game.   Brian was barely walking by that time. We had to get a transport from the gate to our seat.  The noise, the crowd, the temperature, and all the lights from the scoreboard made for a not so fun time for Brian. At the time we tried almost anything to see how it would go. Lookingback, we tried bringing rian to the Turner field to soon.   In September of 2012 we went back to another Sunday afternoon game. It went much better.  Ben and Brian had a great run the bases at Turner Field that day.    This year Brian won some tickets with Superior Plumbing.  Thanks to all that voted. Walking from the parking lot to the gate up many stairs to the seats were no problem at all.   We were at the game from start to finish. The lights and the large crowd were part of the fun.   It was a night game so we were out later than usual that night.  The Braves beat the Reds 4-1. This link will show you that Brian made it to the end.  The post game celebration was fun.

Soccer

I blogged about soccer before.  Running and kicking and learning new skills in the name of fun has been great.  Running, stretching, and bending are important Physical Therapy activities.  Learning to get up when you get knocked down is even more important.