Michigan Teenager Carries Brother With Cerebral Palsy for 40 Miles
In an attempt to raise awareness to his brother's condition as well as many others', a teenager walked 40 miles from his hometown to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. However, he was not alone, he carried his younger brother on his back the whole way.
Hunter Gandee, 14, decided to carry his 7-year-old brother Braden on his back as a way of raising awareness for his brother's condition. According to the Detroit Free Press, the teenager would run for 40 miles until he reached the University of Michigan.
Called the Cerebral Palsy Swagger, the event begun on Saturday, June 7 at Bedford Junior High School where Hunter is a wrestler. His brother suffers from cerebral palsy, a congenital condition that keeps Braden from walking without assistance. The Detroit Free Press reports that before the boys set off they spoke at a rally at the junior high school's gymnasium.
"It really just brings me to a loss of words. I can't explain to you guys how much this means to us," Hunter said, thanking those present. "When we're going through struggles during this walk and things get hard, it just really helps the support we're getting. It's going to push us through."
Braden also thanked those who attended and then he was placed on a homemade black harness so his brother could safely carry him. Then the two brothers began their trek towards Ann Arbor.
Through the Cerebral Palsy Swagger, Hunter hopes to raise awareness that would improve the lives of people with his brother's condition. He also wants to encourage researchers to develop easier ways for people with disabilities to move around.
The journey ended successful on Sunday when Gandee brothers arrived at University of Michigan's wrestling center, according to the AP. Both boys arrived safely and the only thing that the elder brother said after being asked how he felt was: "Tired."
Afterwards he talked about the walk and how at the 30-mile mark he considered stopping because his brother's legs were chafing. Hunter's fundraiser, however, still encouraged many to donate money and definitely raised awareness.
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