I CAN: They told her she couldn't walk so Clementine decided to run: http://6.wate.com/2psaB8l #WATE
Posted by WATE 6 On Your Side [1] on Monday, May 8, 2017
At the start of this school year, 8-year-old Clementine White presented her parents with a registration form for a running club called Girls on the Run. While parents might otherwise be excited about their child's athletic interests, Clementine's parents had their concerns. See, Clementine was born with spina bifida. Thus, the spinal condition made walking an incredible feat.
In an interview with WATE-TV, Clementine's father, Brandon White, explained his initial reaction [2] to the registration form. "You hate to have your kids fail at something that they're interested in," he said, adding, "That was my first thought: this is going to be something that is just too difficult."
Though her parents secretly hoped Clementine would forget about the running club, she didn't. Thanks to her unyielding determination, Clementine soon surprised not only her parents but herself, too. "My doctors said it wouldn't be possible for me to walk or run," Clementine said. "But then I'm starting to walk and I'm starting to run."
Clementine has since accomplished her goal of running and has even competed in a 5K race! Her mom, Christy White, is utterly inspired by her daughter. "She just blows my mind with the things she was willing to do and the things that like she just lets roll off her back," Christy said.
As for Clementine, she'll likely continue beating the odds and overcoming considerable obstacles. As she said, "I didn't really think I could do that, but now I can. Now I know I can."