We never know when these miracles will happen, but we know in our hearts that they will happen. We know that the assumptions and expectations regarding the population with special needs can fuel limited aspirations and inhibit fear, which can increase the child's feeling of being different. This is partly why we exist – to show these young men, women and their families that many of the assumptions about their diagnoses are wrong. If we can prove it to them, the miracles will happen.
On June 4, 2019, we received a notification that someone was interested in our free 7-day Fitness Pass at Special Strong. Her name was Mandy and she was interested in our services for her 17 year old son Brandon.
Brandon’s development was problematic from the start. At the age of six months, he was extremely underweight and jaundiced. He was lagging behind in his development and was unable to sit up, turn around, stand or make eye contact. At the age of 5, they discovered that Brandon had strabismus, a vision disorder that required five operations to improve his eyesight. In 2010, Brandon's family discovered that he had a genetic mutation that caused all of his problems, including his abnormal gait and earlier potty training and speaking delays.
After a few years of very abnormal walking, a doctor took X-rays and found that Brandon was suffering from scoliosis and that his right hip was misplaced. It was recommended that Brandon be operated on to correct his hip, and his parents were told that he could walk normally within six months.
But after six months, Brandon still didn't go. He became very depressed and anxious. The physiotherapy he underwent made him so sick with fear that he was hospitalized many times. As a result, he remained in his wheelchair and did not allow anyone to take him out.
Eight years after his hip surgery, Brandon was still unable to walk, and his parents had reached the point where they had to buy a new wheelchair. However, when his mother turned to Brandon about the new wheelchair, he told her that he no longer wanted wheelchairs. Brandon told his mother he wanted to run, but he wanted to do it alone. The problem was that his parents didn't know how to help him until they saw a Facebook ad for a company called Special Strong.
When they heard about Special Strong and our special needs gym, they had a glimmer of hope that Brandon could run again. Hope often leads to small decisions that lead to big changes. Instead of buying a new wheelchair, they decided to invest in a personal trainer instead. Depending on where they lived, they were asked to work with me in McKinney, TX.
On July 15, 2019, we had our first training session. Brandon came in with his wheelchair and we did a thorough baseline assessment. I recognized his potential and told Brandon I knew there would be a day when he would go again. Brandon smiled at the thought. He didn't resist the idea, but he told me he was afraid of falling and getting hurt. He also entrusted me with his other struggles: how people viewed him differently and how he did not feel accepted by some of his colleagues. He also told me that he thought he didn't have a girlfriend because he couldn't walk.
Brandon seemed to believe me and trust me enough to entrust me with his main fears, and our journey began.
During our next session, we did actual training. Brandon was able to get up, get out of the wheelchair and hold on to my arm, which allowed us to do some corrective exercises and work on the muscles that were stunted because they hadn't been used for eight years. While working with him, I continued to recognize his potential and called it out as often as I could. At the same time, I also saw the fear in Brandon and how it prevented him from making progress.
Whenever I told him we were going to do a new exercise, he began to shake physically and said, "I can't do it, Daniel. I'm scared. "Even though Brandon was scared, he was always open to my coaching. He believed me. He understood his fear, but he didn't run away. This component of Brandon's progress was critical and gave me more confidence in Brandon's ultimate goals You may not look at him and think he is brave, but I can assure you that he was as brave as anyone who has ever met a wild enemy or worse, his own demons.
In the end I made the rule with him that the word "can't" is not allowed in my gym. I told him to think of the word "can't" as a dirty word that should never be spoken. It lasted a couple of sessions, but he stopped saying "can't" during our sessions.
When it was time to take him to the next phase of training, I had him switch to forearm crutches. I told my parents my goals for him while I was using the crutches and that it was time to stop taking the wheelchair to the gym. They agreed, but sometimes disbelieved. They didn't want to raise their hopes.
Brandon had never used crutches before, but he quickly learned how to use them. Outside of the gym, Brandon continued to switch between crutches, crutches, and forearms. Anyone who helps people cross their perceived limits can relate to it. When one of us does something that is uncomfortable but useful, our tendency is to find shortcuts and the path of least resistance, even if that means going back to old habits. It's a constant struggle to choose to remain uncomfortable, but we know we'll do better for it. It is the ultimate challenge.
On July 30, 2019, we had our fifth training session. During this session, I took Brandon to the group room and told him we would go without crutches. Brandon started tearing up and told me he couldn't because he was scared. I reminded him that the use of the word "not" was unacceptable during our sessions and that I would be with him all the time. After a lot of coaching and encouragement, look at what happened.
Brandon was able to overcome his greatest fear, and the ability to take steps on his own gave him an incredible level of confidence. We have further strengthened Brandon’s legs and core, especially his lower back. We tried a few more walks, but they didn't go well as fear crept back and consumed Brandon. He would have little moments of victory, followed by many moments of defeat when fear regained his mind, but he had the most important attribute: he would never give up.
“Success is not the lack of failure. it is persistence through failure. "
– Alisha Tyler
Brandon came into the session on August 21 and I had a strong impression in my heart that it was the day he would go independently. I told Brandon that today was the day and he was going. He said, "I'm ready!"
I had Brandon hold my arm when we went outside to let him run independently for the first time. I knew I had to video that moment, expecting something big to happen; another miracle. I gave Brandon an encouraging talk, encouraged him, got the video rolling, and then Brandon defeated his fears for the first time in his life.
After Brandon finished, I stopped the video to tell him how proud I was of him. He kept repeating, "Daniel, I did it! Daniel, I did it! "
After that, everything changed for Brandon and his whole family. He hadn't just learned to walk. He had overcome his fears. He had conquered the assumptions and self-limiting thoughts. He had conquered himself.
The video was seen around the world and Brandon was so encouraged by it. Brandon went to school without a wheelchair or walking aid and people came up to him at school to tell him how proud they were and that they had seen his video. For the first time in his life, Brandon felt that he had a purpose and was improving the lives of others.
Brandon continues to train with me at Special Strong twice a week. On August 26, 2019, we were able to record a video of him at a speed of 4.0 on the treadmill, which is close to light jogging.
The only thing that prevents him from running is his foot resistance, which we are currently addressing in our training sessions. I am confident that one day Brandon will run, run and even sprint!
That's how he is.