In 2013 a 16 year old invented a cancer screening. What can you do in 2014?

With the new year upon us, many are setting goals. For most Americans we should not be asking the question should I set a goal, but have I set them high enough. One of our favorite inspirational people in 2013 was Jack Andraka, a 16 year old teenager who set out to find faster, more accurate and timely screening for pancreatic cancer. Watch Jack’s story and ask yourself have you set your sights high enough in 2014.

9 Year Old in Wheelchair Achieves Touchdown Dream

 

 

 

 

Americans have dreams, some big, some small. The ability to achieve those dreams largely lays with us, in some few cases those around us can lend a helping hand. In most cases there will be obstacles, this story is no different., For one disabled boy with muscular dystrophy, he was able to achieve the dream of a lifetime thanks to a few friends and a thoughtful referee.

With only a minute left in the game, Jason’s father and coach of the team took a helmet from Jason’s brother and  placed it the young boy’s head. According to channel 3-KSN, Jason said, “Sometimes I just dream about running a touchdown.”

 

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Flash Mob – Helps Boy Achieve His Dream

If you’ve never been to Caine’s arcade your not alone, few people have. Caine’s arcade doesnt have a single video game, pinball machine or change dispenser. Caine’s arcade is just a little bit different, but to it’s fans there is nothing else like it.

According to the 9 year old who owns it, “you get 4 plays for a dollar or 500 plays for two dollars.” How’s that for value? With the help of flash mob, a few cardboard boxes and a little imagination Caine’s arcade is on the map.

Check out the video.

Golf Channel’s Robbie “Shank” Biershenk is Chasing His Dream to the PGA

Golf swings come in all varieties.  If you’ve ever watched the game of golf you’ve seen the pros hit a draw or a fade on demand, but you’ve never seen anything like - Shank. Meet Robbie Biershenk or “Shank” as most people call him.

He’s been called the real life Tin Cup, referring to the 1996 Kevin Costner golf film. And that isn’t too far from the truth, Shank owns his own driving range where he lives and chases the dream. The dream to one day play on the PGA Tour, just like his brother Tommy.

There’s no question this kid’s got game, after all he’s a Six-time World Long Drive Competitor and Three time champion at the Skyview Open. But as Shank put’s it, timing, chance and luck have always been on his side. Still, he presses forward in pursuit of what has so far been an elusive dream. That pursuit has been supported by a growing number of fans, many of which “met” Shank on the Golf Channels Big Break – Indian Wells.

Shanks Big Break came to an end on week six of the show where fellow competitors face off in mini-games and match play rounds. If Shank lacks in talent, he makes up for in it personality. A genuinely nice guy, Shanks Southern charm makes it difficult not to root for him. That may be why the Golf Channel picked his story up again for a new series called Chasing the Dream. This series follows Shank on his pursuit of the PGA, watching closely as he works to juggle his driving range and quest for birdies.

In the series opener, Shank works to keep an old tractor running to pick up range balls, explaining that the alternator long ago went bad. His truck “Big Red” is running on it’s last legs and still Shank keeps moving on, selling t-shirts and sweat shirts to support the habit until one day the gods of golf smile upon him.

Until then we wish Shank the best. Hit em long and straight Shank!

America Rocks – Madison Rising’s Sells One Million Copies of Star Spangled Banner

At a time when it’s popular to be critical of our country, Madison’ Rising is taking a very different approach – including the Star Spangled Banner on their current album along with other patriotic songs with a hard rock twist. It’s certainly not the traditional sound but it’s sure to resonate with a younger, patriotic audience. The Star Spangled Banner single has now sold one million copies. Who said patriotism was dead.

According  to their website, “Madison Rising brings great rock music back to the forefront of popular culture. With songs ranging from the guitar heavy opening track “Right To Bear,” to the hauntingly epic sounds of “Honk If You Want Peace,” to the beautiful violins of “Hallowed Ground,” it is clear that this band is on a mission to not only make great music, but also send a message that American culture is alive and well.” http://www.madisonrising.com/

With an original goal to sell 1 million copies of the Star Spangled Banner they’re onto their goal of 5 Million. Let’s help them out.. Rock on America!!!

 

Once Dubbed the “Ugliest Woman”, Lizzie is a Beautiful Example of Determination

If you’ve ever felt ugly, weak, inferior or bullied you might appreciate this story. .

In a world filled with expectations around beauty, size and weight it’s easy to get down on yourself. Let’s face it, the world can be mean… even cruel. Meet Lizzie Valesquez who the “internet” dubbed the “Ugliest Woman” while she was still in highschool. If highschool wasn’t tough enough, try living with that moniker.

During a mean-spirited eight second video posted on Youtube, the darker side of human beings came out. If the video itself wasn’t bad enough. The comments that followed were devastating. Viewers called her everything, including a monster. One, went so far as to encourage her to “Kill Herserlf.” These comments would be hard to read at any age, but in highschool they could have been devastating.

Life has been difficult for Lizzie who was born premature with an undiagnosed disease. Her mother relates stories of purchasing doll clothes for her daughter, who was too small for regular clothing. Along with only two other people, Lizzie is unable to maintain any type of body fat. In addition to looking different, this presents difficulty when the body attempts to store nutrients which normally reside in fatty tissue. The disease requires that she must eat every fifteeen minutes just to have enough energy to get through the day, a day that can be filled with cruel comments.

According to her website (www.aboutlizzie.com), “In a time when many people change their appearance in order to feel accepted, she has accepted herself with extraordinarily positive self-esteem.  Her attitude, not her syndrome, is contagious.”

While Lizzie admits the mean comments still hurt, she refuses to be defeated. Today she is a successful motivational speaker and twice published author who shares a positive message.  “Her second (book), shares her advice on being unique, how to make and keep good friends, dealing with bullying and negativity, the art of personal meditation, talking to God in your own words, and setting realistic goals.”

Way to go Lizzie, you are a beautiful example of determination and success.

 

First Man to Walk on Moon, Neil Armstrong Dies at 82 Years

American hero and galactic space traveler, Neil Armstrong has passed away due to complications of a prior heart surgery. His now famous words, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” led man to a new age of enlightenment.

The ultimate dream of putting a man on the moon was realized on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. Having accomplished what some considered to be impossible, man has continued to question our assumed reality challenging the barriers that we had previously accepted. This monumental accomplishment paved the way for countless other space missions including the launch of the international space station.

Born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio,  Armstrong was fascinated by flight as a child. Armstrong once said, “As a boy, because I was born and raised in Ohio, about 60 miles north of Dayton, the legends of the Wrights have been in my memories as long as I can remember.”With those thoughts in mind, he earned his pilots license before joining the military where he served in the Korean war and later as a test pilot. Following this service Armstrong joined the ranks of NASA where he participated in both the Gemini and Apollo programs.

Truly a pioneer in American history Armstrong’s roots began in Boy Scouts of America where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later the silver Buffalo Award. On July 18, 1969 Armstrong gave a shout out from space to his fellow scouts, “I’d like to say hello to all my fellow Scouts and Scouters at Farragut State Park in Idaho having a National Jamboree there this week; and Apollo 11 would like to send them best wishes”.

Armstrong lived an exceptional life, living his dream and challenging other to do the same. “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine,” Armstrong did just that living life to the fullest.

 

 

Triathamom-Utah Females Prove They Can Overcome

While at the race, I saw shirts and heard chants of “I can do had things.” While that need to overcome or do hard things may be buried deeper in some than in others, that desire  still exists for many. Sure there are those who want an easy ride, there are those intent on coasting through life and  that attitude will be their loss. Others will dig deep and put their body through hell before ultimately savoring the feeling that only exists as you cross the finish line.

Watching my own wife cross that finish line is a moment I’ll never forget. I saw the pain she went through in the months leading up to the race and the dedication it took to overcome the difficult task she chose to take head on. Just two years earlier, she had heart surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat and to close a hole in her heart that had been with her since birth. She wasn’t there to win, but to accomplish. She was there to prove to herself that she too could do hard things.

Whatever the reason for the rest field to participate, one thing was clear, they were determined to succeed against all odds. This was especially apparent as one woman completed the last 500 yards of the bike race. At some point along the way she crashed, mangling her handle bars the wheel was no longer in alignment. The choice would have been so easy for many, to quit, but the spirit of the competitor would not be broken. Instead of giving up, I watched as she carried her bike, tired and sweaty but not broken. The crowd cheered her on to the next transition. While I don’t know where this woman finished in the race, what I do know is that she not only inspired me but I am sure countless others.

This is what we do. We are Americans and we do hard things.

 

Riverton Man’s Quest For Birdies- Finds Greater Reward In Service

 

For the better part of the last ten years Brad has voluntarily acted as a golf coach for the University of Utah chapter of the Special Olympics. Every fall, seven to ten special needs athletes find themselves privy to a smiling face and the quirky humor of Brad, who gives personalized attention to every student. Though far better than the average golfer, Brad has never played competitive golf. The majority of his rounds are played with family, including his father Marv and his 90-year-old grandfather Glen (who hit his 8th hole in one last year). For the Armstrong “boys” these rounds mean far more than any great trophy. Trophies or not, in the eyes of his students he might as well be Phil Mickelson.

Attend just one practice and the appreciation of his students is quickly apparent from the laughter and smiles that accompany his words of wisdom found in his metaphorical teachings.

“Now when we putt, we want to be like the elephant. What does an elephant’s trunk do? It’s long and just hangs down, moving side to side. We want to be relaxed like that elephant and just move the putter side to side.” There is immediate laughter when the team is asked to mimic the elephant’s trunk, with long arms and putter in hand.

When asked why he involves himself in the Special Olympics, Brad answers,”It’s just so rewarding. It’s a great opportunity to serve some really great people.”

There is something interesting about service. You don’t need any special skills, credentials or diplomas — just a desire to serve. Brad combines this desire with a passion to improve the lives of those around him. After every session Brad ends practice by asking the team one question, “What’s the most important rule of golf?”

For the well taught pupils the answer is unanimous, “Have fun!” Isn’t that what the American dream is all about? Working hard, improving life and having fun? Well done coach!

If you know of a great hero, let the world know and share their story on AmericansBelieve.com.

High School Runner Crawls to Finish Line – (Video)

Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

This is an inspirational video of one high school student that refused to be beaten. Physically exhausted, his body would not move any further. He could have quit, but chose not to. In the moment this young man defines who he is, crawling to the finish line he finished his course before being lifted by the paramedics to receive medical attention.

It seems it is at crucial moments such as this that define us as people. In the most challenging of circumstances, we reach deep down to find out who we are. There are those that when exhausted, tired and down, they stay down refusing to move along any further. Then there are those that continue on, limping and even crawling to finally achieve their goal.

What are you working for today-when you say it might be time to quit? Never, ever give up.

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