Being disabled shouldn't stop a person from training hard and achieving their bodybuilding dreams. Case in point- a true tale of inspiration and determination-
The most INSPIRATIONAL bbder of all!!!
Brothers,
The following is a true story.
We all have people who have inspired us. For most here, that inspirational person may be a pro bodybuilder, a powerlifter, or someone who exemplifies all that is worthy. Well, brothers, let me tell you about the person who inspires me- he's a lad with cerebral palsy named Rupert, and he's confined to a wheelchair! While physically he isn't much to speak of, he has the heart and determination of a LION!!!
I was at the gym giving Rupert yet another free personal training session. You see, bros, I do this out of the goodness of my heart- I've got a soft spot for the marginalized in society, and, BY GOD, I do whatever I can for them!
I was coaching Rupert through some basic bodybuilding movements, though his spastic condition made it difficult for him to perform them right. An idea suddenly occured to me- why shouldn't Rupert use a running machine? The running machine, or treadmill, I was thinking of, was a German made Thiessen TX 230 Olympic trainer- it has a treadmill that is twice as long as the standard, and can reach speeds approaching that of an Olympic sprinter! It has a reverse mode function, and I decided that Rupert could sit on the belt in his wheelchair, and while the belt went in reverse Rupert could turn the wheels on his chair to counter the momentum- what a workout that would be!
We tried it at very low speeds, and Rupert was just able to keep up! "Bravo, Rupert!" I cried. His features contorting, and the lenses of his thick glasses steaming up, Rupert gave it his all!
My chauffeur, training partner, and former maximum security prison inmate Nobby was overcome with joy at Rupert's success- and, screaming "Bloody FOOKING well DONE, lad!" brought his massive fist down on the control panel, in a gesture of uncontrolled emotion! Suddenly, something went TERRIBLY wrong with the TX 230, and it went into forward mode, at top speed! Rupert and his wheelchair were shot forward like a bullet, flipped over the front of the running machine, and went flying through the air into the weight-lifting area! His wheelchair broadsided an old lady, knocking her feeble form unconscious, and Rupert went flying into the large, triple-shelved dumbell rack. The dumbell rack teetered, tottered, and fell over with a thunderous crash, as dumbells of all weights came crashing down, burying Rupert!
We called an ambulance and dug him out of the dumbells. Luckily, the tough young man was still alive- but he began having a grand mal seizure!
Well, he was only in a coma for a week. The tough little lad- you've got to admire his fighting spirit. When I don't feel like going to the gym, I think of Rupert....and, brothers, what an inspiration he is! Sorry...I'm getting emotional...*wipes away a tear*...till next time, brothers!!