High School Student Athletes Made Race For Kids With Cerebral Palsy Into A Real Fun Run

• Lucas Myrick and Elsa Dent have Cerebral Palsy.  They do not feel excited to join fun runs.
• When high school student athletes assisted and ran with Lucas in a recent fun run, it changed his mind towards the race.
• With the whole audience cheering her on during the race, Elsa also changed her mind about the fun run.

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When a fun run event is announced in school, 9-year-old Lucas Myrick and 8-year-old Elsa Dent do not always look forward to it.  Both kids have Cerebral Palsy and from previous races, Lucas always came in last.  

Both Lucas and Elsa have positive outlooks and bright spirits despite their diagnosis but the fun run was still something to get excited about.

But all that changed when Jordan High School student athletes joined Lucas and the high school football team cheered on Elsa.

Lucas’ mom, Janell Myrick, mentioned to a Canyons School District colleague that Lucas was interested in the Fun Run. The colleague then called Jordan High Athletic Director Joel Sundquist, who was happy to assist in the plan to have two players team up with Lucas and push him for the 1.07-mile run. 

Joel said, “We were just super eager to help out. Park Lane is part of our community.”

But instead of just simply pushing him, the two athletes formed a bond with Lucas.   He even named their trio Wheelies. Lucas said he got the idea from the wheelchair.

And so on the day of the race, Lucas enjoyed it so much that he even ran towards the end of the course!

Lucas said, “I was beating one of them on my legs. I was running ahead of him. He couldn’t even keep up with me!”  What is more awesome is that Lucas did not end up last! 

After Lucas crossed the finish line, Elsa was not far behind on her walker!  Everyone was running alongside her and cheering her on!

Elsa said, “I ran super-duper fast!”

With their parents, students and the high school team behind them, the two immensely enjoyed the fun run.  They now have a new enthusiasm for the race. They also proved that with their community’s support, they no longer feel excluded.

Source: Inspire More