Meet eight year old Bailey Matthews. Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, he took part in the Castle Howard Triathlon in North Yorkshire, England this week, and he wasn’t going to let his disability get in the way of making it to the finishing line. Indeed, he wanted to prove that nothing was going to stop him getting to that finishing line unaided. At the twenty meter mark, plucky young Bailey abandoned the wheeled frame he usually uses to get about, said goodbye to dad and raced for the finish line!
As the stunned crowd looked on, the determined eight year old gave it all he had to get over the line and complete the race.
Once over the line, it was time for a hug and a kiss from Bailey’s proud dad, Jonathan.
“He has always struggled with getting dressed, things that parents of other children take for granted, he does struggle with, just every day things are more difficult for him, but he never lets it bother him. He doesn’t see himself as different to anyone else,” said his proud mom, Julie.
“You can see his little face when he came round and saw everyone, that was his way of finishing in style and showing everyone what he could do.”
And show them he did, as the following inspirational video shows. Way to go, Bailey! We’ll no doubt see you in the Paralympics one day!
