BY: ZOE MELNYK
If you’re struggling to find a source of motivation in your life, look no further than Bonner Paddock who is the first man in the world to climb mount Kilimanjaro and finish the Ironman Race with cerebral palsy.
Paddock was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of eleven after going through an intense round of tests from doctors trying to find the source of his struggle to move and walk properly.
The disease is usually brought on by brain damage and with no cure, patients often suffer with difficulties in their muscle functions and motor skills for the rest of their lives.
Doctors predicted that Paddock would be confined to a wheelchair by 15 and be faced with a shorter life span, dying as early as the age of 20.
Paddock continued trying to live his life despite the serious setback, but faced the wrath of uninformed ignorant bullies who oftentimes teased and ostracized Paddock in school.
This taunting manifested itself in Paddock’s mind and forced him to constantly work to hide his disability. As he explained in an article by Grind TV, he even avoided telling his boss, waiting until the age of 29 to finally disclose the details of his diagnosis. His boss’ positive response to Paddock’s confession helped Paddock to accept the reality of his disease and realize that it does not need to be discouraged.
Several years later while in his 30s, Paddock joined the United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County and unknowingly began the first steps towards his unbelievable accomplishments.
After joining the organization, Paddock met Steven Robert whose four-year-old son, Jake, was born with cerebral palsy. The two bonded over sharing their struggles with the disease, and decided to run the Orange County Marathon together to raise money for UCP’s life without limits centre, which works to provide young cerebral palsy patients with the required physical therapy.
The two men finished the race with Robert holding his son in his arms. Unfortunately, Jake died later that same day.
This massive achievement of finishing the marathon, followed by Jake’s tragic death, catapulted Paddock into striving to find a solution to the incurable disease.
He made the decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2008, hoping to raise $250,000 for the same centre. Besides the difficulties that any person faces while climbing the 5,985 metre mountain, the highest point in Africa, Paddock also had to deal with the added stresses from his disability. This meant climbing with a lack of balance and constant weakness in his legs.
Photo: Courtesy of OM Foundation
Paddock persevered and became the first man with CP to climb Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted.
With the momentum of his success pushing him forward, Paddock decided to create his own charity in 2009. He started the OM foundation to start building awareness and support physical therapy for early learning centres with disabled children.
Photo: Courtesy of OM Foundation
The foundation has successfully raised over $1 million dollars and has built centres around the world.
Paddock didn’t stop with the foundation and he decided to run the ironman race in 2012, this time raising $700,000. The ironman race is considered to be one of the world’s most difficult races with a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Paddock finished unassisted in 16.5 hours.
Photo: Courtesy of e-PR
Paddock recently released the memoir, One More Step, in which he describes his personal struggle with cerebral palsy and how he has successfully fought against it while helping others with their similar struggles with the disease.
Bonner proves that attitude can hurdle all odds. Instead of letting his frustration taint him with bitterness, Paddock used it as fuel to change himself and all who hear his story.
Photo: Courtesy of OM Foundation
Sources: freedom.com, purpose2play.com, everydayhealth.com, grindtv.com, theactivetimes.net
