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Walking for kids with CP

Liem Grimes

My name is Liêm Grimes, I am 7 years old and have spastic diplegia. This affects my legs, especially my right leg. I have to wear callipers every day but luckily not at night. They help me stand straight with my feet on the ground. I don’t think much about my disability, I prefer to think about my abilities. I love to make people laugh and see the bright side of life. I don’t like to think about having to do exercises and stretches every day (I do dislike them with all my heart!). My Mum and Dad train with me every morning and evening and I must admit I give them a hard time sometimes but I do know it helps me. With all this hard training I managed to walk all the way from Lunar Park to the Opera House across the Harbour Bridge when I was five. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to make the 4kms and I came close to giving up but I got there in the end and it felt fantastic. Many people sponsored my walk and I was able to raise more than $7,000 for The Spastic Centre. I did the walk again last year and I even improved my time. From now on, I will always aim to do a personal best. It doesn’t matter that I have CP, I can still achieve a goal and by doing so make a difference to other people with CP. Here is a photo of me on the bridge doing the walk for the first time. The other photo is after the second walk in 2008 when we got a free massage. Boy did that feel good!

My name is Liêm Grimes, I am 7 years old and have spastic diplegia. This affects my legs, especially my right leg. I have to wear callipers every day but luckily not at night. They help me stand straight with my feet on the ground. I don’t think much about my disability, I prefer to think about my abilities. I love to make people laugh and see the bright side of life. I don’t like to think about having to do exercises and stretches every day (I do dislike them with all my heart!). My Mum and Dad train with me every morning and evening and I must admit I give them a hard time sometimes but I do know it helps me. With all this hard training I managed to walk all the way from Lunar Park to the Opera House across the Harbour Bridge when I was five. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to make the 4kms and I came close to giving up but I got there in the end and it felt fantastic. Many people sponsored my walk and I was able to raise more than $7,000 for The Spastic Centre. I did the walk again last year and I even improved my time. From now on, I will always aim to do a personal best. It doesn’t matter that I have CP, I can still achieve a goal and by doing so make a difference to other people with CP. Here is a photo of me on the bridge doing the walk for the first time. The other photo is after the second walk in 2008 when we got a free massage. Boy did that feel good!

Comments (27)

written by Jenny, 03 Aug 2009
What a great story Liem - you are an inspiration to many people.
written by Clare, 03 Aug 2009
Liem,
You always make me smile with your bright attitude to life keep it up. You will always be your best and my hero
Clare
written by Roslyn, 03 Aug 2009
What a superb illustration of how you have turned your disability into an ability, an ability to seek and rise to challenges. I hate to think what you will be getting up to when you are 16!
written by Clare G, 03 Aug 2009
You certainly do make people see the bright side of life Liem. What an amazing young man you are. Fantastic Story!
written by Angie, 03 Aug 2009
Liem, everyone who knows you understands what a cheeky, funny, lovely person you are. I have seen you doing your stretches and exercises and know how hard you work.
written by Fiona, 03 Aug 2009
What a legend you are, Liem! I think it's a great thing you have PB for every year. Next thing you know, you'll be sprinting across the bridge! You are amazing - with or without pom-poms. :)
written by Carole, 03 Aug 2009
What a lovely story! Keep up the great work Liem!
written by Doug & Sara, 03 Aug 2009
Liem, here's a story. By chance, on our holiday visit to Sydney last year, we met a young boy and his parents on the 'Walk'. They allowed us the privilege to join them and capture the wonderful sights (and I'm not talking about the bridge and harbour!) The walk with this inspirational family (amongst others) was the highlight of our Australian holiday. During the journey what really hit me was the fact that this particular boy is living life to the full, no sympathy and feeling sorry for myself needed here! It was tough and hard but in the end he felt great, his parents were delighted and very proud and those of us lucky to join him had a fantastic day.

Well done Liem!
written by Terry, 03 Aug 2009
Well done Liem. One step at a time is all it takes.
written by John Mc, 03 Aug 2009
You have a talent for writing, Liem. Great Story! What a fantastic family you have! Thanks for sharing.
written by Phoebe S, 03 Aug 2009
Hi Liem, Great story!
written by Katy G, 03 Aug 2009
Good on ya mate. You're a little inspiration to the rest of us.
written by Anne-Kathrin, 03 Aug 2009
Liem,
you make me proud to be your aunt, and Balthasar and Golda are proud to be your cousins.
We will tell our friends about your achievement.
Anne-Kathrin
written by Pengelley Family, 04 Aug 2009
Liem, when you mention you like to think of your abilities, we think back to you doing a dance performance in your living room with your cousins and you won!! You had us all laughing.
You're a little star in the making!
written by Margaret Brinkman, 05 Aug 2009
Liem,
You should be so proud of what you have done. I can't wait to meet you when you return from Germany!
Have wonderful time there. I have been to Germany and loved it.
See you in January!
Margaret Brinkman
written by Joan, 05 Aug 2009
Hi Liem
What a great story you tell it very well Do people also know that you tap dance and play piano as well as being very clever at school Now they do! see you soon
Joan and Brian
written by Leigh, 05 Aug 2009
Hey Liem,
Keep up the good work little one - your are a hero and an inspiration not only in our eyes, but in many others too.
Leigh, David, Scout and Piper x
written by Vicki Callaway, 05 Aug 2009
Congratulations Liem - I hope everybody reads your story - so many people look at the negatives and not the positives in life. You certainly have a great future ahead of you!
written by Angela Andretic, 05 Aug 2009
Dear Liem,
you are so good at doing all your stretches and exercises - next year you can push me up Mt Buffalo!
written by Michelle, 05 Aug 2009
Liem, my daughter is your No.1 fan! We are cheering you all the way buddy xxx ;-D
Michelle and Alicia xxx
written by Barbara, Guenter and Tim, 06 Aug 2009
Dear Liem,

great Story! We are very happy to have a godson blessed with such a joy of life. We are thrilled to meet you soon here in Munich, damit Du ein wenig boarisch lernen kannst:-)
written by DOUGLAS, 06 Aug 2009
THE FIRST TIME I MET LIEM HE WAS HELPING WITH THE GROCERIES AND YOU CANT LOOK PAST THE SMILING EYES , AND AS YOU GET TO KNOW HIM HIS INTEREST AND CURIOUSITY IN ALL MANNER OF THINGS .
I CAN SEE A HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMB COULD BE ON THE AGENDA AND NOT TOO FAR AWAY .
GREAT WORK MATE KEEP UP THE HARD WORK
written by Deborah Neve, 07 Aug 2009
Way to go, Liem!!
written by Chau Dinh, 07 Aug 2009
What an inspiriting story Liem! I am happy and admired of what you have overcome and achieved. Never give up on your great talents and sure you will not.
xo
Chau
written by Dana Lee Evans!, 07 Aug 2009
You're terrific Liem!
Can't wait for our next camping trip!
written by Hong Tuyen, 11 Aug 2009
Dear Liem,
I love this behavior: "I don’t think much about my disability, I prefer to think about my abilities"

I live in faraway Asia and my Enlish is not so good, but I do understand and love your viewpoint. This will remind me to live better, do my best to develop my ability - instead of lamenting for not being able to do something.

Thanks and good lucks, Liem!!!
written by Vicki, 28 Aug 2009
What a great story!! Keep me posted on all of your future Bridge Walks!

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