Recently a group of Team Members took Adaptive Athlete Jonathan Lopez through the Asheville Spartan Super. As luck would have it, a volunteer at the rope climb obstacle videoed Lopez climbing the rope unassisted and from there something pretty special has unfolded. The video went slightly viral and one of it’s viewers couldn’t wait to show her then 7 year old son, Ryder, just what determination and belief in oneself can accomplish. The story below is in Ryder’s mom’s words, first published by her at www.meganbarr.com on August 28, 2016. With her permission, we think that sharing it is the perfect way to demonstrate just how much OEW’s presence in the public eye can inspire and motivate everyone with whom we come in contact. Even when they are on opposite coasts. Enjoy!
New Friends
School recently started, and we are in a season of abundance when it comes to making new friends. After having the same teacher and same classmates for the last two years, Ryder stepped into a whole new world. And Evan just started Kindergarten so new friends are all around us. But social media has also brought some very unique friendships our way in recent weeks.
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have noticed Ryder’s strong interest in all things obstacle course racing. He loves to drag a yoga mat and some kettlebells out into the living room and workout while watching American Ninja Warrior or Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge. He knows the ins and outs of every obstacle, which competitors made it to the finish, who failed on which obstacle, and he even quotes the commentators from time to time. We thought it would be neat to harness his enthusiasm and give him the chance to become a Spartan himself, so we signed both boys up for the 1/2 mile kids race in Tahoe on October 1st. (And then we realized that if we’re driving all that way we might as well sign up too, because if our 5yr old and 7yr old with one arm can do it, we have no excuse not to! And then I realized that it’s TAHOE. Tahoe = cold water and altitude… and burpees. Lots of burpees. But I digress…)
A couple weeks ago, I happened to catch a video someone (whom I later realized was a personal trainer named Shannon) posted to the Spartan Race timeline. It featured a one-armed combat veteran in a (muddy) yellow shirt climbing a 20-foot rope during a Spartan race. The rope was slippery, so he struggled to reach the top a few times. But he persevered, and when he finally got close enough he just took off his hat and whacked the bell with it – mission: complete! My boys were still sleeping, but I posted a comment on the video about how I couldn’t wait to show it to Ryder… to show him how someone “just like him” can conquer a seemingly insurmountable task.
A couple hours later, I got a friend request from none other than that combat veteran himself! Jonathan Lopez was alerted to my comment by Jeff Farmer – a contestant on the Spartan TV show. Both men are a part of an incredible organization called Operation Enduring Warrior – a group of current and former military personnel who work with wounded veterans, teaching them to overcome physical and emotional hardship and empowering them to accomplish things they didn’t think were possible. Many times, they accomplish this monumental task by training to become adaptive athletes.
I was so touched that these two heroes had taken an interest in Ryder’s story, and while they live on the other side of the country, they knew of another OEW athlete and fellow one-armed warrior who lives in Visalia. They put me in contact with Norbie Lara, hoping that someday we’d be able to meet.
Someday came sooner than I ever expected…
Ryder has recently become intent on learning how to tie his shoes, but I had no idea where to start. Sheepishly, I messaged Norbie one night to see if he had any tips he could share. To my surprise, he said, “I can do better than share tips… I will come and teach him myself.”
It turns out that he was planning to drive up north to visit family, and offered to stop by for a bit to meet Ryder and offer some encouragement. When he arrived, we chatted for a while… He shared about his family and how he was injured, and we explained a bit about what Ryder has experienced. He made sure to tell Ryder that it’s important to remember he doesn’t just have one arm, he has four fingers and a thumb. It’s a small shift in his perspective that can help him focus on, and make good use of what he does have. He also said, “It’s not about learning the way to do something, it’s about finding a way.” That one will stick with me forever! I was impressed by the gentleness of his demeanor (which reminds me so much of my Grandpa Mac, a WW2 veteran) and his patience when Ryder became frustrated by not catching on immediately.
Before he left, Norbie surprised us by presenting Ryder with a special OEW coin. He said, “We only give these out to people who inspire other people and do good things, and I can tell that you are one of those people.” <insert all the tears here!>
The highlight of the visit came as we walked Norbie to his car. After shaking hands, Ryder exclaimed, “FINALLY! Someone who shakes hands CORRECTLY!” It’s amazing how awkward shaking hands can be for someone who only has a left hand to shake with, and Norbie really got a kick out of Ryder’s excitement (and totally agreed with him, too!).
The thing is, Ryan and I can only relate to him on so many levels. We know the day-to-day struggles. We feel the heartache and frustration. We remember the fear. We answer the questions. But there’s a whole other level of understanding we will never truly reach because it didn’t happen to us. It would be naive of me to believe that Norbie and Jonathan (and countless others) have always felt so calm and confident. I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the struggles they’ve faced (and continue to greet head-on)… the doubt, the depression, the anger, the grief, the physical pain and limitations. But they found others to come alongside them – to pour into their spirits and give of their time, talents, and treasures in the same way they’re doing with Ryder now… paying it forward.
In short, Norbie’s visit was a tremendous blessing to our family.
God used a silly comment on a Facebook video to connect us with precious new friends we wouldn’t have met any other way – fellow warriors who can inspire our son as he continues to inspire everyone he meets. Big heroes who have taken this special little boy under their wounded wings and into their unique brotherhood. And we will forever be grateful.
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