Tom with big sister Molly (left), whos eight, and twin sister Iris. TOM BARNES is one of around 2,000 babies born in the UK each year who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This lifelong condition affecting muscle control and movement is caused by damage to the brain before or during birth. Tom and his twin sister Iris were born two months early after their mum Maria developed the serious pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia. Maria and husband Terry were concerned about Tom from his earliest days because he seemed very stiff, had great difficulty feeding and screamed constantly. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly before his first birthday. Doctors say that Toms cerebral palsy was caused by a type of brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia. This most often occurs when parts of the brain are starved of blood and oxygen. The exact cause of this injury is not known. Maria and Terry, from West Sussex, hoped that Tom would not be too severely affected, but an MRI brain scan carried out at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton around a month later confirmed that Tom had quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Maria (41) explains: Both sides of his brain are affected, governing … Continue reading →

17 Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Johnny Agar and his father have become a source of inspiration on the ironman circuit. Try Another Audio CAPTCHA Image CAPTCHA Help CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Johnny Agar and his father Jeff compete on the ironman circuit as a team, with Jeff pushing and pulling Johnny through the triathlon. Humankind Johnny Agar and his dad Jeff run in an Ironman competition in Florida.(Photo: courtesy Music that Moves) HAINES CITY, FL - Johnny Agar and his father, Jeff have become a source of inspiration on the ironman circuit. Not only does the duo compete in ironman competitions, but they do it in a unique way. Jeff pushes and pulls his son Johnny the entire way. Johnny Agar was born with cerebral palsy, but he's never shied away from overcoming obstacles. "Everybody hates uphill, but if they can remember that there's a downhill at the end of every uphill, it makes life so much easier," he said. The father-son team finished the Florida ironman race in 7 hours, 40 minutes, but they have … Continue reading →

Video: Beyond The X with Jackson Ryan Cerebral palsy hasn't taken Houston junior out of the sport his grandfather became famous in. Jackson Ryan of Second Baptist (Houston) is no ordinary high school baseball player. The junior's grandfather is Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. His father, Reid Ryan, is president of the Houston Astros. Jackson is a reliever for the TAPPS 4A defending state champion Eagles, coached by six-time MLB All-Star Lance Berkman and assisted by five-time World Series champion pitcher Andy Pettitte. When the 6-foot, 145-pounder takes the mound he carries a rich legacy and big expectations. But it hasn't been all baseball celebrity and smooth sailing for Jackson. Life dealt him a bit of a curveball at birth. Photo by Leslie Johnson Pitcher Jackson Ryan "We learned Jackson had cerebral palsy on the day he was born, which affected the muscle tone and posture on the right side of his body," Reid said. "The doctor told us he may never walk or talk and gave us a list of potential problems. It was a tough time. Your mind goes to the worst possibilities. We didn't know what to expect." The resilient Jackson has refused to let the … Continue reading →

Zach Renner tried out for the Northern (Ownings, Md.) baseball team each of his four years of high school. He was cut every time. Renner suffers from a minor form of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. This year, however, he agreed to become the team manager at the behest of his friends on the team. The Washington Post tells Renners incredible story, which included a storybook moment last Friday night. As the Post tells it, after Northern jumped out to a 10-0 lead on Patuxent (Lusby, Md.) by the fourth inning on senior night, head coach Bobby Gibbons approached Renner. He told Renner to put down the scorebook and to grab a helmet and a bat. It was time for him to pinch-hit. There were a lot of emotions going through my head, Renner told the Post. I was saying, Dont strike out. Ive never seen a kids face light up like his did when I told him to grab the bat and go hit, Gibbons said. It was a great, great baseball moment. Renner let the first two pitches go for balls, then swung and missed on the third pitch. According to … Continue reading →

Staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror at Lord Calvert Bowling Center, Zach Renner made a vow to himself. He would not let this latest disappointment define him. Renner suffers from a minor form of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. He never let his condition hinder his athletic dreams, though it took its toll on his legs, giving him the appearance of being pigeon toed and forcing him to often randomly trip and fall while walking. He tried out for the Northern baseball team each of his first three years of high school and was cut every time, but he always held out hope for the coming season. Senior year would be different, he thought. Perhaps this time Coach Bobby Gibbons would give him a chance. Perhaps this time Gibbons would take note of his opposite-field power and his daredevil defense and offer him a spot on the team. My one dream was to be part of the Northern baseball team, or any school sport, Renner said. I never made one. It was during a Saturday night bowling excursion in Huntingtown with family and friends that Renners heart sunk one more … Continue reading →