Boy Scout Gives Friend with Cerebral Palsy a Chance to Compete in a Triathlon

Spencer Zimmerman is a friend anyone would want to have. The 13-year-old Life Scout was recently presented with the 2011 Young American Award for a special gift he gave his good friend, 13-year-old Dayton Hayward, who has cerebral palsy. Thanks to Spencer, Dayton was able to compete in his first-ever triathlon because Spencer agreed to be his “legs”. He carried, pulled, and pushed Dayton through a 12-mile bike ride, 500-meter swim and a 3.2-mile run. Dayton’s mother Sherrine said her son’s triathlon preparation has had a lasting effect on him.

Sherrine and her husband David have always tried to include Dayton in activities that all children participate in, even when it was difficult. So when Spencer told her he wanted to push Dayton in the triathlon, she and David thought it was an awesome idea. They were touched that someone Dayton really cared about outside his family would include him in his life. It demonstrated the special friendship the two boys have.

Spencer did the physical training, while Dayton and David made sure the equipment was race-worthy. They altered a twin jogger to accommodate Dayton. Spencer, meanwhile, found a raft and practiced pulling his two siblings–whose total weight equaled Dayton’s–in it at a nearby lake. They finished the race in an hour and 28 minutes, winning a first place for their team effort.

Sherrine said Spencer’s gesture showed her that Dayton had an effect on his friends, enabling them to see him for who he is and what he is capable of, instead of what he cannot do. It touched her to see that someone cared enough about Dayton to include him in not just easy activities, but also in activities that are difficult. She said it was a privilege to see her son experience the joys of being a regular 13-year-old.

If there’s anything a person could take from this experience, Sherrine says it’s this: All it takes is just one person to see that a child in a wheelchair, who cannot walk or talk, can compete in a triathlon and be a true friend, and it will inspire others to be all they can be–more than they believed possible. Because of Spencer’s selfless gesture, Dayton believes he can do anything, no matter how hard, and he knows he has friends who are willing to help him make his dreams a reality.

Source:
abc15.com/dpp/lifestyle/family/teen-with-cerebral-palsy-competes-in-triathalon-thanks-to-help-of-amazing-boy-scout-

Images source:
lds.org/youth/article/racing-for-two