“That’s only one inch off the National record”, he thought.
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Answer:
David Naster
The Astroturf he was sitting on was as hot as the competition he faced today at the National Junior Olympics. The pole was set at 17 feet. That was three inches higher than his personal best. Michael Stone faced the most challenging day of his pole-vaulting career. Today and now, it is not only Michael Stone’s reality and dream——it’s his quest.
As long as Michel could remember, he had always dreamed of flying. Michael’s mother read him numerous stories about flying when he was growing up. His dad, Bert Stone, on the other hand, was not a dreamer. He believed in hard work and sweat. His motto: If you want something, work for it！
From the age of 14, Michael did just that. He began a very careful and regimented weight-lifting program. He worked out every other day with weights, with some kind of running work on alternate days. The program was carefully monitored by Michael’s coach, trainer and father.
All of Michael’s vaults today seemed to be the reward for his hard work. If Michael Stone was surprised, thrilled or arrogant about clearing the bar at 17 feet, you couldn’t tell. As soon as he landed on the inflated landing mat and with the crowd on their feet, Michael immediately began preparing for his next attempt. He seemed oblivious of the fact he had just surpassed his personal best by three inches and that he was one of the final two competitors in the pole-vaulting event at the National Junior Olympics.
When Michael cleared the bar at 17 feet, 2 inches and 17 feet, 4 inches, again he showed no emotion. Constant preparation and determination were his vision. As he lay on his back and heard the crowd moan, he knew the other vaulter had missed his final jump. He knew it was time for his final jump. The bar was set at nine inches higher than his personal best. That’s only one inch off the national record, he thought.
The intensity of the moment filled his mind with anxiety. Then out of nowhere, and from the deepest depths of his soul, he envisioned his mother. His mother always used to tell him that when you felt tense, anxious, or even scared, take deep breaths. So he did and gently laid his pole at his feet. He began to stretch out his arms and upper body. The light breeze that was once there was now gone. He carefully picked up his pole. He felt his heart pounding. He was sure the crowd did, too. The silence was deafening. When he heard the singing of some distant robins, he knew it was his time to fly.
Michael Stone was now flying, just like in his childhood dreams. Only this time he knew he wasn’t dreaming. The air around him seemed the purest and freshest he had ever sensed. Michael was soaring with the majesty of an eagle.
It was either the eruption of the people in the stands or the thump of his landing that brought Michael back to earth. On his back with that wonderful hot sun on his face, he could only envision the smile on his mother's face. He knew his dad was probably smiling too, even laughing. Bert would always do that when he got excited. What he didn't know was that Dad was hugging Mom and crying, harder than Michael had ever seen before.
Michael was immediately swarmed with people hugging and congratulating him on the greatest achievement thus far in his life. He later went on that day to clear 17 feet and 6 1/2 inches: National and international Junior Olympics record.
With all the media attention, endorsement possibilities and swarming herds of heartfelt congratulations, Michael’s life would never be the same. It wasn’t just because he won the National Junior Olympics and set a new world record. It wasn’t because he had just increased his personal best by 9 1/2 inches.
It was simply because Michael Stone is BLIND.
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