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HEBER CITY -- Emotions ran high Thursday at Wasatch High School during the school's football game against Park City. However, it wasn't the football game that was the highlight of the night; it was something that happened off the field.
The students of Wasatch high School have stared down some serious challenges over the last 10 months, but Thursday, a Dale Lawrence, who was told he might never walk again, stood up and thrilled the crowd before kick-off.
Last school year, Lawrence was senior captain of the Wasatch Wasps wrestling team. One practice in January, Lawrence tried to escape a hold when the 145-pound wrestler was severely injured to his spinal cord.
Lawrence was paralyzed from the neck down, just like the late actor Christopher Reeve. Doctors told Lawrence he might never get any feeling back.
"I was sure I was going to get back," Lawrence said. "At least I thought I would."
The feeling started to return in the summer, giving Lawrence mobility in his wheelchair. And on Thursday, with a little help, Lawrence stood up before a cheering crowd. Now, Lawrence's friends call him "Super Dale."
They weren't sure I was going to get any movement back. I guess they were wrong.
–Dale Lawrence
"It really inspires me as a person, and the student body," said student body president Tristan Lowe. "You can accomplish anything."
"They weren't sure I was going to get any movement back," Lawrence said. "I guess they were wrong."
His friends were inspired by his hard work and determination. "To overcome paralysis and start walking, even a tiny bit, it's a miracle. It's amazing," Lowe said.
As the teams dug in for the game, both schools also passed around a hat for Porter Hancock of South Summit, who suffered a similar spinal cord injury during a football game a few weeks ago.
"My heart goes out to him," said Lawrence's mother. "I went through that, I kinda know what he's going through."
Lawrence said the vision of being able to walk again is what keeps him going every day.
Email: jboal@ksl.com
