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Charities we have helped:

United Cerebral Palsy

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

The Warrick Dunn Foundation

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

American Cancer Society

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"They Said He'd Never Walk... He Did!"

Earlier this week, my wife and I caught a segment on ESPN about a man with Cerebral Palsy named DJ Gregory. DJ's parents were told at birth that DJ would most likely never to be able to walk. DJ has proved his doctors wrong and this past PGA season he accomplished his goal to walk every single hole of every round of every PGA event. You can find the story here on ESPN :60. Below is the letter I sent him.

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TO:                  DJ Gregory
FROM:            Scott Riecke
SUBJECT:      E:60 “Walk On”

February 24, 2009

Mr. Gregory,

The other day my wife and I were channel surfing and came across ESPN’s E:60 show.  In a brief image we spotted a man gingerly walking across a golf course using his cane as support.  My wife and I thought that we’d park the TV on this station while we searched the guide for something better to watch.  But a few moments later we had put the guide away and were completely engrossed in your story.

At first glance, I thought your quest to walk every hole of every round of every PGA Tournament wasn’t such a big deal.  After all, you were going to be spending most of your days in nice weather, traveling the world and watching a pleasant gentleman’s game.  But as we continued to watch, the challenge that you were facing became more and more apparent.  This wasn’t just a man enjoying a leisurely stroll through the park four days a week.  Instead, this was a struggle – a test of will.  The blisters, the falls… each time we wanted to reach through the screen and offer you a hand.  Yet each time you got up and you persevered, eventually reaching your goal.

After watching straight through to the end, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.  I peered at my wife fearing she might mock me for my moment of weakness.  But my wife, whose emotions are usually less guarded than my own, was a little busy dealing with the tears streaming down her own face.

As soon-to-be-parents, some of our worst fears are that our child might be born with some type of handicap or disease.  Your story gives us, along with countless others I’m sure, courage in knowing that just because a child may not be born with the same functions as most everyone else, they can still live a life of fulfillment and accomplishment.  One of the more lasting images to me was the look of pride on your father’s face as he was being given the opportunity to talk about his son’s achievements.

You mentioned in the story that you felt embarrassed whenever you see yourself on TV.  I imagine that comes from seeing your awkward gait as you stride down the course and how it simply makes you look different than others.  I have seen that stride from people before – whether it be in the mall or in the park or in the town which I live.  I’ve seen the looks that some people give and have heard some snide comments from less than compassionate people.  I can bet you that if any of those people have had the chance to see your story, they will no longer be as hasty to look down upon someone with a similar stride.  If there is one less person that has to endure being made fun of because of your accomplishments, then I’m sure that you will agree that you have truly accomplished something worthwhile.

My wife and I would like to donate $50 to United Cerebral Palsy through the link on your blog.  Thank you for enduring the pain and seeing your goal through to the end.  You are an inspiration to many and you have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Sincerely,

Scott Riecke

 

If you would like to comment on this letter, Scott can be reached at info@aletteraweek.com.

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