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A former hurdler has managed to make his way around the track for the first time after surviving a car crash two years ago that rendered his legs almost useless.
During high school in Georgia, US, Tre Lawson, was one of the top hurdlers in his country, being scouted as a top prospect and potential scholarship from universities.
The 19-year-old was second fastest in the 300m hurdles in the state for 2017 and ranked number 15 nationwide.
However, Tre and two of his teammates were involved in a horrific car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down.
But Tre defied all odds on 7 April when he took to the track once more in an inspiring walk around the grounds with the assistance of a walker.
“Just having my feet to return back to the place that I love just gives me even more, hope to work harder,” Tre said.
“I want Rolling Hope (his non-profit organisation) to go Global and make it where a few kids who have witnessed spinal cord injuries and are trying to further their education in college can receive scholarship money.
“Life is a continuous race and mine will restart when I’m back running again.”
Now a freshman at Fort Valley University, Tre has been training to strengthen his legs and walks with minor assistance from a Zimmer frame.
The young man also has plans to start running again and to help others through Rolling Hope.
Tre said that this experience was the biggest obstacle he’s faced, but he was determined not to let it be the end of him.
“After the accident, I was in the hospital thinking, ‘Why did this happen to me Lord?’, not even wanting to live again wanting to give up on life, crying day in and day out, [feeling] heartbroken [and like my] dreams [had been] crushed,” Tre said.
“I thought this is the end and all my dreams . . . seeing your parents hurt, everybody in your family hurt, [I started] wondering, ‘Was it my fault?’
“But being in the hospital and rehab centre, seeing some people not being able to move their hands and other things just inspires you to never take life for granted and work on what you can get back.”
Source: Magazine Features
(Pictures: CATERS/MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA)
