Forefront Families

• the imagination to dream and
• the patience and commitment to see a task through to completion. 

Drive and tenacity begins with a belief in one’s ability to achieve, and a commitment to seeing things through without quitting. I am always amazed when I read stories about disabled people who have such a strong belief in their own power to improve their situation, that their passion overcomes the odds by doing the impossible.  In Atlanta, Georgia, in the early 1900s, a seven-year-old boy was horribly burnt in an explosion, and his near-lifeless body with its charred legs was dragged out of the building by rescuers and he was rushed to hospital.

In his semi-conscious state, this young boy heard the doctor saying that it was unlikely that he would live, and the prognosis for survival precluded the use of his lower limbs. Determined, the boy made up his mind that he was going to survive. 

He endured grueling physical therapy treatments and eventually developed the ability to stand. With hard work, through years of sweat and tears, he began stiffly moving his legs, then to walk without assistance. What a thrill it was for everybody when he was able to walk to school, and then run to school! Running became his passion and joy, a symbol of his commitment to survive and thrive.

He made the track team in college, and in 1934 in Madison Square Gardens, the boy who was determined to walk again, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the world’s fastest mile in 4:06.8 seconds. In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he won the silver medal in the 1500 meters race, and two weeks later, he set a world record of 1:49.7 in the 800 meters. 

So how do we teach our children to dream and be tenacious?

• Be a role model: Dream big and let your kids see what you can achieve.
• When you start a job, finish it. 
• When you give your word, follow through.
• Show your kids  how to do jobs and give them a reasonable time frame for completion.
• Praise them when they complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ensure they keep their word when they commit to something.
• Inspire your children with stories like the one above.