Colville man with cerebral palsy defies odds for Bloomsday
SPOKANE, Wash. — An estimated 43,000 runners and walkers took to Spokane for the 42nd annual Bloomsday run Sunday and among the crowd was one group of friends ready to make one man’s dream come true.
Victor Lawson has always wanted to participate, but he could never figure out how — until now, thanks to nine friends and three months of planning and training.
While Lawson has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair to get around, he didn’t let that get in the way of his dream of racing Bloomsday. He was joined by Debbie Bryan, who works with him at Pinewood Terrace, a skilled nursing home in Colville.
“It’s just so incredible to wake up this morning knowing he’s going to feel really good about getting across that finish line,” Bryan said.
Bryan and eight others formed “Team Victory” and made the trip from Colville to push Lawson in the right direction.
Lawson said the experience left him grateful for his friends and hopeful his story can inspire others.
“No matter if you’re in a wheelchair, or whatever disability you have, you can enjoy getting out and doing stuff just like others,” Lawson said.
Team Victory crossed the finish line and clocked in at 3 hours, 11 minutes and 51 seconds.
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