Glenn Cunningham: Triumph of Grit in the face of Adversity

No toes on Left foot and horrible burn damage to Olympic Athlete

Walking two miles to their school house in 1917 in Kansas, Glenn and his brother started up the wood stove to heat the place. Unknowingly, someone had replaced the kerosene with gasoline and an explosion burned both boys horribly. His brother died and he lost all toes on his left foot and most of the skin on both lower legs with extensive damage. Avoiding amputation of both legs, Glenn taught himself to walk again by dragging himself on the ground to a fence and making his legs support himself: FOR TWO YEARS. He found running was less painful than walking so he ran everywhere. As time went by he began to run races by hopping and then sprinting and outdistancing everyone. His positive attitude and faith in God led him to be considered one of the greatest milers of all time. He won silver medals in the 1936 Olympic games and nearly broke the 4 min mile. After his fame, he bought a ranch where he hosted over 10,000 needy and abused children from less fortunate backgrounds.

He is evidence of the power of positivity and faith to overcome and change the world around us. Valor is in you. Set it free.