When My 15-Year-Old Son With Cerebral Palsy Slowly Typed “Dad… Can We Run In That Race?” I Had Never Run A Competitive Mile In My Life—But I Said Yes Anyway, And That One Simple Answer Turned Into A Forty-Year Journey Of Marathons, Sacrifice, And A Father–Son Bond That Would Inspire Millions Around The World

The question appeared slowly on the small communication screen attached to my son’s wheelchair. My son Michael had cerebral palsy, which meant speaking clearly was extremely difficult for him, so he used a special keyboard device that allowed him to type messages that a small electronic voice would read aloud. That afternoon we were sitting together in our living room …