Marvin Beats The Odds
This young man introduces himself best: “My name is Marvin Pearson. I can’t see, but I can still kick butt on the football field.” Marvin attends Pottstown High School, and he is unable to see or hear. He also happens to be an excellent football player. Marvin has a special message and says, “I want people to understand that you’re able to overcome any obstacle set in your path, whether it’s an amputated body part or being blind, or hearing impaired.” He’s also like any other kid and plays basketball, runs track, wrestles, raps, “reads a lot” and owns 17 fantasy football teams. Marvin has plans to one day become a sports agent and with such an amazing outlook on life, there’s no doubt he will succeed.
James Meiergerd Has Untouchable Hoop Skills
James Meiergerd is a teen from Nebraska who went viral after he made an amazing basketball trick shot. James also just so happens to have Down Syndrome. The 18-year-old made a backward facing half-court shot during the halftime of a varsity game. As senior player Greg Johnson said, “He’s really the heart and soul of this basketball team.” The video later gained worldwide notoriety when it was featured on “ABC World News Tonight.” The Harlem Globetrotters even saw his impressive shot and invited him to be their guest when they visited Omaha. When they brought him out on the court, James pulled off the impressive shot yet again! As globetrotter Dizzy English said, “The video was truly inspirational.”
The Incomparable Singing Of Isaac
This little boy is Isaac and he is able to sing with perfect pitch. The amazing thing? Isaac is a non-verbal autistic child, meaning he does not speak at all. His music teacher was astounded when one day he broke out into song during class with Peabo Bryson’s duet “Beauty and the Beast” from the original movie. Isaac started singing more and his teacher captured him singing “A Whole New World” acapella. After his teacher recorded the audio, he took it home and realized that Isaac was amazingly able to sing in the same key as the original without hearing it, meaning he has perfect pitch. When the teacher was able to play back the video for him Isaac again sang along. His teacher said that this has opened the door to communication for Isaac. Not long after, another teacher attempted to ask him a question by singing it and he answered back in song. The video went viral and has inspired countless people to attempt to use music to communicate with other autistic children in the world.
Sam Berns Teaches The Meaning Of Life
Sam Berns was a truly extraordinary young man. Sam had progeria, a disease that causes rapid aging. His parents are both pediatricians and ended up establishing the Progeria Research Foundation after Sam’s diagnosis as a two-year-old. Sam was most remarkable for his amazing outlook on life, he even gave a TEDx Talk called “My Philosophy For A Happy Life.” Sam dedicated his short time on the planet to raise awareness about progeria as well as to spread his message of happiness. A documentary film was produced about his life called Life According to Sam. He was also a huge sports fan especially of hockey team the Bruins and football team The Patriots. He became friends with Bruins captain Zdeno Chára. After one game, Berns told Chára, “You’re the hero!” and Chára responded: “No, no, you’re my hero, our hero.”
Amanda Aims For Excellence
Amanda Bricker is an eighth-grade softball player who is excelling despite being born deaf. Next year, Amanda will start high school and she has already made such an impression that the varsity softball coach, Larry Loger, is already hoping she’ll join the team. Larry said, “I’ve never seen her use it as a crutch. She’s a hard worker so I don’t think it’s ever going to be a problem for her.” Recently, Amanda has undergone surgery for cochlear implants which allow her to hear. Amanda said her new additions have been a total game-changer both on and off the field. Amanda dreams of continuing her softball dreams as well as studying audiology to help other hearing-impaired kids just like her.
Kanya: A Triple Threat
Kanya Sesser was born in Thailand and abandoned when she was one week old. Her birth parents left her outside a Buddhist temple and monks took her in before she was adopted and brought to America. Kanya was born without legs, but she never let that stop her from excelling at pretty much everything she tries. As a teen, she was recognized for her athletic accomplishments including skateboarding, surfing, and even breakdancing. She even scored a role in the TV show Hawaii 5-O playing a soldier who loses her legs. While roles with disabilities often go to able-bodied actors, the director wanted a disabled person. Now 23, Kanya continues to act and model and we are sure to see more of her in the future.
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