8-Year-Old Bailey Matthews Has Cerebral Palsy… But That Didn’t Stop Him From Finishing a Triathlon

8-Year-Old Bailey Matthews Has Cerebral Palsy… But That Didn’t Stop Him From Finishing a Triathlon

Angela Markus

Eight-year-old Bailey Matthews stumbled towards the finish line, but he did not quit. Not today. His Cerebral palsy did not deter him. He ran with a walker in the final leg of a triathlon, but when the finish line was near, he shocked everyone cheering in the crowd. He let go of his walker and ran to the finish. Grab the tissues, this one will move you to tears! 

Matthews was competing in the Castle Triathlon Series. A triathlon is an athletic contest consisting of three different events, typically swimming, cycling, and long-distance running. The race consisted of five events throughout the United Kingdom and France. Matthews completed a 100-meter lake swim, a 2.5-mile bike ride and a 1,300-meter run. That’s right, all three! 

Bailey’s mother, Julie, gave an interview to the Yorkshire Post, a newspaper in England. “Bailey has always been very determined,” she said. “If he wants to do something he will find a way to do it, even if it is not the conventional way.”

According to KidsHealth.com, Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills (the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way). CP is usually caused by brain damage that occurs before or during a child’s birth, or during the first 3 to 5 years of a child’s life.

This video shows Matthew defeating Cerebral Palsy to complete his goals.

Way to go kid! SHARE the love and pass it on.