logo
 facebook.com/specialstrong
facebook.com/specialstrong

Teen with Special Needs Walks for the First Time after 8 Years in a Wheelchair

Stephen Thompson
Nov 29, 2021
03:30 P.M.
After using a wheelchair for eight years, following a failed surgery to correct hip displacement, an autistic teenager, Brandon Neal, smiled again as he walked for the first time, unaided. Here's the whole story.
Advertisement

In 2019, the internet was set ablaze after a viral video showing the moment an autistic teenager walked without any assistance for the first time in eight years made the rounds.

In 2011, a 17-year-old teenager named Brandon Neal from North Texas underwent surgery to fix a deformity. Right from childhood, Neal had been faced with a series of health challenges.

When he was six months old, he had jaundice and was extremely underweight. In addition, baby Neal could not sit up, stand, rollover, or make eye contact.

By the time he clocked five, he was diagnosed with an eye condition called strabismus, which required five surgeries to be corrected. While Neal's family tried to find out the cause of their son's misery, they potty trained him and got him talking in sentences.

Finally, in 2010, it was discovered that Neal had a genetic gene mutation, and after some x-rays, a doctor found out that the teenager's right hip was displaced.

Advertisement

The following year, Neal underwent surgery to correct the hip displacement. Although the surgery was successful, and there was hope for Neal to walk again, things worsened months later.

Neal told him that he wanted a girlfriend, but nobody liked him because he could not walk.

The autistic young man was still not walking, despite the doctor's assurance, and Neal was left with no choice but to use a wheelchair. Eight years after the tragic occurrence, the autistic teenager's parents were faced with the choice of buying their son a new wheelchair or enrolling him for physical therapy to help him walk again.

A close up of Brandon Neal's in a  heartwarming Facebook post | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

A close up of Brandon Neal's in a heartwarming Facebook post | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

The latter was a better option, and Neal was registered with Special Strong. He worked with Daniel Stein from the establishment for three months before the duo decided to try and see if the teenager could walk again.

Advertisement

Stein filmed the heartwarming moment, and it was shared on the official Facebook page of "Special Strong." Neal could be seen walking and staggering in the footage as Stein applauded and encouraged his baby steps.

A screenshot of  Brandon Neal walking unassisted | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

A screenshot of Brandon Neal walking unassisted | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

A few seconds into the clip, Neal could be heard asking, "Are you proud of me?"A positive response from Mr. Stein followed the sweet question. He replied saying, "I'm so proud of you, man!"

In the caption, Stein said Neal told him that he wanted a girlfriend, but nobody liked him because he could not walk. However, things changed for good. Neal finally went back to school and walked independently without a wheelchair, crutches, or a walker.

A screenshot of  Brandon Neal walking unassisted | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

A screenshot of Brandon Neal walking unassisted | Photo: Facebook/specialstrong

Neal's story remains a source of encouragement and inspiration to many people going through tough times. With strong will and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

4-Month-Old Baby Sucked Up in Tornado Was Found Lying in a Tree amid Pouring Rain

December 19, 2023

Boy, 5, Goes on His Very First Holiday Abroad & Tragically Dies the Next Day

November 28, 2023

'Pray for the Baby': Police Raid 'Wrong House' with a 17-Month-Old Special-Needs Boy Inside

January 19, 2024

Man Kisses Wife before Delivery, Not Knowing He Would Soon Be a Single Dad to Quadruplets

November 16, 2023

Ryan O'Neal Was Helped into His Car in His Last Public Appearance – Inside His Final Days

December 11, 2023

Husband Leaves Wheelchair-Bound Wife, Few Years Later Sees Her Walking in Park with Another Man — Story of the Day

February 07, 2024

This Girl, Whose Birth Was ‘An Honor’ for a Whole Country, Now ‘Brings a Tear’ to Her Famous Dad’s Eye with Her Dance Skills

December 02, 2023

Julia Roberts Sparks Health Concerns after Fans Discuss Her Noticeable Weight Loss

December 06, 2023

'Starsky & Hutch' Actor David Soul Was 'Tight' on Money & Sold Series Rights – Inside His Last Years Away from the USA

January 09, 2024

Ali MacGraw Pays Tribute to Ryan O'Neal — Inside Their Relationship 53 Years since 'Love Story'

December 12, 2023

Mom Has to Prove to a Doctor That Teen Is Her Son as People Have Always Thought They Were Siblings

January 30, 2024

I Walked up to My Groom at the Altar – All of a Sudden, a Woman in White Dress Appeared behind His Back

February 26, 2024

Bride Doesn’t Want Her Dad in Wheelchair to Walk Her Down the Aisle until She Sees Him on TV — Story of the Day

February 02, 2024

Michael Strahan Was by His Daughter's Bedside After Her Brain Tumor Diagnosis at 19: Details & Photos

January 12, 2024