Yes, I am wowed by this boy, Matt W. of Worthington, Ohio, running the 400 meter at his school's Field Day. I know how much effort and energy it takes to move your muscles like that when you have cerebral palsy; Matt had actually been given the option to sit out the race. Still, I am not astounded. As Max's mom, I know full well that kids with disabilities can have supersonic determination to overcome physical challenges. Matt is yet another kid with special needs who kicks butt.
I am absolutely floored by his classmates; what happened seems like the kind of thing you only see in movies. That's the part that had me sobbing. To me, these kids deserve props for their team spirit, not for being "kind" (as a caption in the video says). That word implies that the recipient is needy or pitiful. And yes, I am very, very prickly about not wanting kids like Max to be pitied. I'd like my son to be accepted.
This is inclusion at its best, what I dream of for Max.
