Another success story for a boy they said "Never would..."

[Mikekoz13]

I've posted the details on the Forum before about my son Kody and his past health issues. You can find the details with a search but for this story all you need to know is that at 8 months of age we were told that my son would never walk or talk, would spend his life in a wheel chair with little quality of life, and would be severly mentally and physically hadicapped. That was 13 years ago.

Kody is an amazing kid..... his butt has never been in a wheel chair and other than some mild learning disabilities he is now a normal 13 year old boy. But his whole life we've been told "He'll never be able to....".

As recently as last year when we moved him out of the Special Education program into a "normal" classroom we were told "He'll never.... succeed at this". Straight A's and B's last year and more of the same this year.

So now... the story continues...........

IN November of 2008, at the age of 10, Kody joined the Youth Wrestling program in town. He had a tough time picking it up that first year and didn't win a match. At one point that first year I had to have a serious talk under the bleachers with a coach who mocked Kody for "being dumb".
Kody didn't win a match that first year and got pinned quickly in every match... but a handful of good guys and friends supported him and took him under their wrestling "wings".
So last year he joined the JV wrestling team.... and struggled again... getting his butt whippeed in short order every match. He was often the target of a very old school coaches' words. But he persevered, never complained , lost 25 pounds to go from a little butterball to a physically fit young man in a matter of months.He took a LOT of lumps.
So... on to this year. Much improved by all accounts and MANY parents told us, "Be patient... he's getting close". But still, he was losing every match but being very competitive in most.

So yesterday our JV team went to the annual "Snacktown Duels" Tournament a couple of towns away. Last year he only got to wrestle once in this Tournament and got whipped in seconds.

Well yesterday he was slated for 5 matches.... and the first three he got pinned. He was frustrated after the third loss and man did the coach give the boys Hell. Kody was pretty upset with the coach for all the screaming (the guy IS an a$$hole)

So I pulled him aside. I said to him, "The way you shut the coach up is to win... then he won't have anything to yell about".

Twenty minutes later he was set to wrestle.... what happened in that 20 minutes I have no idea but when that whistle blew he basically attacked the other kid for a quick takedown (2 points) rolled the kid over, looked at the coach, and pinned the kid! His first win in nearly three years!

I was at the scorers table just feet from the match so i had to maintain my emotions but if you could have seen his teammates cheering him on.... and I looked to the stands just before the pin to see all the parents of our team jumping up and down and screaming for him. It was one of those momenst where time just crawls and everything is in slow motion... surreal.

As my son stood after the pin he jumped up with arms in victory (kind of a wrestling no-no). He walked from the mat to be raised up in the arms of a couple of his team mates. He looked at me and just smiled as I gave the thumbs up (misty eyed).
I let him enjoy the moment with the team... he was the last match for that round... then I got up from the table and just stood smiling at him. He slowly walked over  to me smiling from ear to ear and we hugged briefly as I whispered in his ear, "I'm SO proud of you".

He went off with the team to get ready for their next match... I walked to the stands slowly, savoring the moment, as an axious group of parenst waited to congratulate me.

We had to leave shortly after that to tke my daughter to a birthday party so we missed my son's last match.... which he again won.

Another victory IN LIFE for the boy that "Never would...."

Me... I'm so blessed to be the Dad of such an amazing young man.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Wonderful, life is wonderful.

[TheSlyBear]

Mike, congrats on raising such a fine son. I'm sure positive parenting has a lot to do with his success.

And this is a great lesson for everyone: never let someone else set your limits.

[Noodles]

Mike,

Congratulations to Kody. He must have been on CLOUD NINE after that first winning match, and I'm quite sure, that by family being there to see it as it was taking place, it made that win so much more special in his eyes, and for you guys alike.

Once again, Congratulations. His time has arrived. I'm sure the memory of that shining moment will stay with him (and you) for years to come!

 - Cap'n Noodles -

[Mikekoz13]

Mike, congrats on raising such a fine son. I'm sure positive parenting has a lot to do with his success.

And this is a great lesson for everyone: never let someone else set your limits.

Bear is exactly right about setting limits. The day the doctors told us all the bad news 13 years ago my wife looked at them and said, "My son will walk and my son will talk". We have NEVER put limits on our son but have instead taught him to strive for more and never to accept "can't or won't". The ironic thing is that at 13 years old he understands this better than many adults I know.

There are no limits when you have strong will, love, the help of true Friends, and Faith. I could fill half the Forum with stories of Friendships, Prayers answered, and unexplainable things that have made days like yesterday possible. If you are ever feeling down and need to talk....contact me for some inspiration.
Angels are among us... search the Forum for amazing stories.

[texanron]

Way to go Kody! I'll have to remember such an inspirational young man the next time my butt is too lazy to get out of the bed and hit the gym. Congratulations to you as well Mike and thanks for sharing. In the words of Al Michaels,"Do you believe in Miracles?!?! YES!!!".

[Jack21]

What an touching an inspirational story. You must be so proud. Wonderful how he's proved all the naysayers wrong.

[zed]

Your post both humbled me and moved me. What an amazing moment that must have been for you and your son. It just goes to show sometimes all the experts know is what they have been taught, not what is staring them right in the face...

[Stu]

Wow, what an amazing, inspirational story!  Thanks for sharing - definitely a memory to treasure.

[Papa Don]

Mike, What a success story.  My congratulations to Kody and to you and your wife!  Great parents makes great young men and women.

[tomgallagher]

Congrats to Kody and to his Mom and Dad. Very inspirational Mike. I will remember this story whenever I get down about things.

[Gambrinus]

Great story Mike. Made me mist up.  I completely know how you feel.  My little "Quadriplegic" hit the game winning shot in his basketball game last night, right after he got done with baseball pitching lessons.  I keep telling him not to take it for granted.  God has a great purpose for him.

[-Doug-]

Mike, what a great story! Thanks for sharing and raising such resilient young man. Congrats to Kody, your wife, and you!

[Arnie]

I echo everyone's previous post...simply incredible!!!  Way to go Kody!!!

[wpruitt]

Great story.  Made my day !!