Angela Tsun and Terry Vo in 2009 City to Surf
I’m currently doing my activity schedule for the rest of the year and one of the things that is usually on my list but never completed is the City to Surf. Every year I keep telling myself that I will participate but come August, my motivation is all but gone. And then I tell myself that I’ll do it next year. I’m hoping this year is that ‘next year’. I’m going to draw upon some inspiration from Terry Vo. I saw him being interviewed on TV last year after completing the 4km course. 4km? No big deal you say? Let me tell you a bit about Terry.
In 2005, 10 year old Terry was playing basketball in his friend's backyard. The basketball ring (and backboard) was attached to the garage. Terry went up to do a slam dunk but instead of the ring staying in place, the garage wall collapsed under the force of his dunk. The basketball ring fell on him, along with a whole heap of bricks from the wall. Terry lost two hands and his left leg in this ordeal, and even though surgeons were able to attach all his limbs back on through microsurgery it would inevitably affect his ability to perform physical tasks in the future.
He was interviewed for Sixty Minutes in 2005 (Miracle Boy) and then again in a follow up in 2009 (Wonder Boy). The Wonder Boy video is still up and you can view it here. The transcripts for both stories are still up at the ninemsn site (just click the links in this paragraph).
What amazed me is his positive outlook on life and the fact that he doesn’t let anything get in the way of achieving what he wants. He can C-walk too! This guy is a true champ.
So Terry, thanks for the inspirasian and I’ll see you at the finish line this year!
Related News Articles
Inspiring teen Terry Vo in his first City to Surf
His case made history, now schoolboy's back in class
Boy who lost three limbs awake and smiling
For more news headlines that may not be posted on the Asians Down Under blog, visit the facebook page.