(AP) — A Michigan teenager who wanted to raise awareness about cerebral palsy by walking 40 miles with his younger brother strapped to his back battled heat, rain, fatigue and more to finish the trek Sunday.
Hunter Gandee, 14, had been planning for weeks to pull off the walk, hoping to put a face on the muscular disorder that prevents his 7-year-old sibling, Braden, from being able to walk without help. But all his organizing couldn’t prepare him for the conditions he faced as he packed the 50-pound boy over two days.
He even thought about giving up along the way.
“Honestly, yes, there was a point that we did consider stopping,” Hunter said. “Braden’s legs — the chafing was getting pretty bad. We did have to consider stopping. It was at about the 30-mile point.”
A phone call changed all that.
Hunter reached out to a friend, who said a prayer for the brothers. That, combined with some rest and a change in how Braden was positioned on his brother’s back, helped the boys make it the final 10 miles.
It may have taken a bit longer than they anticipated, but the Gandees and more than a dozen of their family members and friends strolled up a winding road Sunday toward the University of Michigan’s wrestling center.
At the top of the hill, Hunter lifted up Braden so he could touch a “Go Blue” banner erected for them near the walk’s endpoint. The move was met with thunderous applause and cheers from those who had gathered to see the boys finish the trek.
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That’s incredible! It’s awesome that he did that for his brother and for everyone else with cerebral palsy. 🙂
SO amazing! A great way to change the world.
AMAZING! That is so cool. Braden must be SO proud of his brother for doing that. I wish everyone could have the courage and strength to do that!
That is, wow, that is just amazing. That is brothers should do for each other. And sisters. Not the 40 mile walk, but the dedication and love that is shared between them. I honestly don’t know that much about cerebral palsy, but I have heard of it. That is amazing!!!