Wyatt Burggraff wheelchair trampoline jump becomes viral

by



[ad_1]

Get the latest news from TODAY & # 39; HUI

Subscribe to our newsletter

/ Source: TODAY & # 39; HUI

By Meghan Holohan

A 33-second video of a wheelchair boy jumping on a trampoline while praying to go faster has become viral. The clip shows Wyatt Burggraff, 4 years old, feeling an absolute happiness as he bounces.

"Wyatt beamed with joy from an early age. He has this very special ability to attract people and make them happy, "said his mother, Allison Burggraff, 35, of Moorhead, Minnesota. "He embraces life to the fullest."

Wyatt has spina bifida, a congenital abnormality of the spine that can lead to physical disability. While walking with a walker, he gets so tired that he leans on a wheelchair. When Wyatt was 2 years old, his parents took him to the gym and TNT gymnastics for children in Fargo. TNT offers programs for people of all ages and abilities.

"We want to support movement skills and concepts and have an impact on their overall health," said NATE Hendrickson, director of special needs at TNT, now 39. "We are really trying to help them be as independent as possible."

Wyatt took time to trust TNT staff in the early days. If Hendrickson moved Wyatt too quickly or pulled him out of his wheelchair, the toddler felt anxious. And, he certainly did not like the unpredictable trampoline.

"People who use a wheelchair will not be subject to different movements," said Hendrickson. "They will show hesitation."

Wyatt Burgraff loves going to the fitness and gymnastics club of TNT Kid, where he learns to move even though he uses a wheelchair. He trusts his coaches, like Alex Peipkorn, who taught him to bounce on a trampoline. With the kind permission of TNT Kid's Fitness and Gymnastics

Wyatt's mother agreed.

"Wyatt was nervous. When people often have special needs, they are not as physical as they usually would be, "she said. "He was not used to that feeling of not being in control."

But Wyatt slowly became comfortable. And moving to TNT has helped her develop her muscles so that it can be more physical. He has been practicing adaptive skiing and the track since his gymnastic debut.

"It's a wonderful place and it has earned her self-esteem and self-confidence to go through those difficult times," Burggraff said.

The video of Hendrickson and Wyatt jumping on the trampoline is the culmination of years of work.

"When he says" faster, "it tells me he's ready. He feels confident. He feels safe, "said Hendrickson. "He goes back and forth, he's the one trying to push back the trampoline."

Wyatt Burggraff is always happy despite surgical interventions and health problems due to spina bifida. His family hopes his video on a trampoline will show that people with different abilities can still be active. Courtesy of Allison Burggaff

The Burggraff always feel stunned by the number of people affected by the video. They are pleased that Wyatt's experience shows that people with disabilities can also engage in physical activity.

"My greatest hope is that people see that this is not a handicap. It's just a different way of doing things. We can not classify children and adults with disabilities, "she said. "They can live life to the fullest as anyone else."

Meghan Holohan

[ad_2]

Source link