Chicago – Seventeen‑year‑old Wyatt Anderson finished the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday with a time of 3 hours, 56 minutes and 28 seconds, a remarkable achievement less than a year after a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down.
From injury to finish line
Anderson’s injury occurred in November of last year while playing basketball. He tripped on his own feet, collided head‑first with a wall, blacked out and lost movement in all four limbs. “I was like, ‘Am I gonna walk again? Am I gonna be able to do the same thing that I was doing two weeks ago, a day ago?’” he recalled during his recovery.
Following emergency care, Anderson underwent spinal fusion surgery and a month‑long rehabilitation program. Daily physical‑therapy sessions tested his resolve, but a story his therapist shared about a man who completed 50 marathons in 50 states while using a wheelchair sparked a new goal for the young athlete.
Setting a lofty goal
“That just blew my mind and motivated me,” Anderson said. “I wanted to walk or run a marathon within a year.” With the support of his older brother, Jack, who accompanied him throughout the training, Anderson committed to a rigorous regimen of strength work, adaptive conditioning and mental preparation.
On race day, Anderson ran alongside his brother, drawing cheers from spectators who recognized the significance of his effort. After crossing the finish line, he delivered a video message to ABC News, urging others to stay positive and seize every opportunity.
“Just take it day by day. You can do it. Most importantly, be positive and smile. Even if it’s a fake smile, it really changes your whole attitude,” Anderson said.
Giving back
Anderson and his brother also used the marathon as a platform to raise funds for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, an organization dedicated to spinal‑cord injury research and improving the quality of life for those living with paralysis.
“I hope my story will help other people want to set a lofty goal for themselves and to believe that nothing’s impossible,” he added. “You can do anything if you set your mind to it – truly, I mean, coming from someone who couldn’t walk at a time and now is running.”
Community response
The Chicago community responded with admiration, highlighting the power of perseverance and the importance of supporting individuals with disabilities. Local disability‑advocacy groups praised Anderson’s achievement as an inspiring example of what adaptive athletes can accomplish with determination and proper support.
Anderson’s story underscores the broader conversation about accessibility in sports, the need for inclusive training programs, and the role of families and mentors in helping young people overcome life‑changing injuries.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
