July 5, 2013

by: Renee Canfield

A Little Inspiration

The Cleveland Triathlon is right around the corner, just four short weeks away until the families and friends of Team UCP swim, bike and run to raise awareness and funds for UCP.  Needless to say it is a very busy time for us and we are all beginning to feel the pressure. So I took a moment today to watch a video of one of our young clients, Ben, and his family doing the one-mile walk at this year’s Race to Empower.  And I was reminded of why, despite all the training, fundraising events, physical pain and stress, so many of our families and supporters do the triathlon.  Because it means HOPE and a better future – for them, for their families and most of all, for their children.

Ben is a very happy nine year-old boy with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen.  His dad, Matt, describes him as a quick learner filled with determination. Ben was born with a congenital heart and other defects. During the first eighteen months of Ben’s life he endured fourteen surgical procedures, including three open heart operations, to correct these defects.  The night after his third heart operation, Matt answered a call at 2:00 am from an overnight doctor whose initial words were, “Mr. Cox, your son is still alive, but….” Needless to say, the toll all of this took on Ben’s physical and mental development was significant. After receiving therapy for over two years from county programs and other organizations, Ben, at age three, wasn’t able to crawl, stand or walk. He couldn’t communicate with his family or eat dinner with them, and doctors told his parents he would never walk.  Ben was stable but his parents had no idea what his quality of life would be.

But then, his parents were given information on the Steps to Independence Program at UCP of Greater Cleveland and decided to enroll him. Within four weeks of starting therapy at UCP, he was crawling and learning to push himself up. Session after session, he got stronger and learned something new. How to sit still and reach for a toy. How to transition from laying down to sitting up, and then to crawling. And ultimately, he learned to pull himself into a standing position. During this time he was also receiving feeding therapy which strengthened the muscles around his mouth and taught him how to swallow pureed food (no more feeding tube!). By the age of four he began climbing up steps, playing with his sister Emily, and even walking with the assistance of a walker. By age seven, after many other amazing accomplishments, Ben met a BIG goal as a result of months of work in therapy at UCP of Greater Cleveland on Ben’s posture, core strength and stability.  He walked independently without help. But soon after that, he had to have hip surgery to fix a dislocated hip.

And then Ben, ever determined, learned to walk a second time.

The Ben Miracle, as his parents call it, is that after all he has been through, he never gives up. He is relentless. He smiles way more than he frowns and with each accomplishment his eyes light up with the look that any child would have when they do something for the first time.

Which brings me to a few months ago and to this video:

This is why Team UCP members go through the pressure and physical challenge of fundraising and completing the Cleveland Triathlon. They do it for Ben and for their own children, each unique and facing awesome challenges. These children are doing the hard work every day at UCP of Greater Cleveland to get stronger, build skills and become more independent.

Why should YOU become a part of Team UCP? Do it for Ben and all those children who would benefit from services at UCP of Greater Cleveland.  Help them and their families work toward a future with more independence and inclusion, with more Hope.

Check out Emily’s post last week on ways to be involved with the Cleveland Triathlon as a member of Team UCP.

Participate.  Volunteer.  Fundraise.

Be Inspired to Tri!


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