A TEEN WITH PARTICULAR DISABILITIES FINALLY TAKES HIS FIRST STEPS IN HIS LIFE
Even if you don’t believe that miracles do exist, how do you believe that an adolescent with special needs who had been wheelchair-bound for eight years start walking again.
Mandy is Brandon Neal’s son who is 17 years old. He has used a wheelchair for eight years. The amazing was that he sought Daniel in 2019 for assistance. Daniel Stein developed the Special Strong exercise program with the purpose of support to persons with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
Brandon struggled with developmental delays during his childhood. He was underweight, jaundiced, and delayed in his growth since his premature birth. He walked funny and had five separate eye surgeries for a visual problem. His faced all healthy issues from a mutation in a single gene.
Doctors recommended surgical correction because of he was eventually diagnosed with scoliosis and a dislocated hip. Then, doctors assured him he would be walking again in six months. However, Brandon was in a wheelchair and became more frightened and despondent.
He was bedridden for eight years after his hip was operated. The teen’s confidence was broken, and he said the experience prevented him from finding romantic success.
Although Brandon’s parents had intended to get him a new wheelchair in 2019, his idea was set on learning to walk again.
His parents was informed about Special Strong’s special needs gym, so they enrolled him. Brandon was able to restore his strength and get back on his feet after starting to work with Daniel.
It was hard since Brandon was anxious about many novel physical activities. But Daniel encouraged him to push through his apprehensions.
Daniel said, “You may not look at him and believe he was strong, but I can guarantee you he was as courageous as anybody who has ever fought a violent opponent or, even worse, their demons.”
As a result of program’s strategy to wean him off of his wheelchair, the adolescent was instructed to use a walker and arm crutches. When he began walking without using his walker Daniel kept an eye on the situation and was encouraged by what he saw. He got the step for the first time in eight years without anybody else.
Daniel promised Brandon that this was only the beginning of his progress and that he would soon be able to walk himself.
A few weeks later, that day was came.
They ventured outdoors. Brandon accomplished the astounding feat of walking unaided with the cameras rolling.
The last time you did this was in 2008, making it seem simple. Daniel reassures him, explaining that he has gone farther than anticipated on foot.
Are you really proud of me? Asked Brandon. I am proud of you, Daniel says.
Brandon overcame his concerns and took those first steps; Daniel was even more pleased.
Then, everything was changed for Brandon and his whole family. And he didn’t want to talk about learning to walk for the first time. Overcoming every challenges, he was more confident. Further , assumptions and limitations were no longer barrier for him . He had finally won the war inside.
After seeing his uplifting video, which quickly went viral, many others wrote to express their support for Brandon. He has kept up with his visits to Special Strong and has moved forward.
After filming his first steps, Brandon’ s ambition was to one day walk again. Luckily, he was seen jogging on a treadmill few days later.
