Some of you may, or may not, be aware of the fact that Mandy lived for a time with a family in Las Vegas by the name of the Fotheringham's. Steve Fotheringham is a professor at the LDS Institute of Religion in Las Vegas and Mandy spent about a year living with their family while she was a student at UNLV. Steve and Kaylene were unable to have children and have adopted several children, either from LDS Social Services or from the State. They also adopted a couple of children from Russia. Steve was my seminary teacher when I was a freshman at Las Vegas High School. Steve and Kaylene have a remarkable son by the name of Aaron. He was born with Spina Bifida and has spent his life either confined to using a wheelchair or crutches. Over the years his parents have transported him to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City for treatment (My aunt Peggy S. is one his nurse's at the Spina Bifida Clinic at Primary Children's).
Aaron's latest adventures have put a focus on his abilities, not his disabilities. He is truly an inspirational young man. Aaron's oldest brother used to like to go a local skate park and sometimes Aaron would tag along. One day his brother challenged Aaron to go down some of the cement ramps on his wheelchair. Being the brazen young man that he is...he took his brother up on it...and the rest is history.
I have posted some video clips that speak for themselves. Check them out below. You may want to have Kleenex handy...one of the clips is sort of tear-jerker (the ESPN clip).
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