Friday Inspiration: Random Miracle
From ESPN.Com:
Tennessee’s Lofton quietly faced and beat cancerBy Chris Low
“...He (Chris Lofton) was diagnosed with cancer only a few days after Tennessee ended its 2006-07 season with a Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State in San Antonio. Miraculously, the cancer was discovered after Lofton was picked randomly following the first-round win over Long Beach State to submit to an NCAA-mandated drug test. The results turned up positive, and Tennessee officials weren’t notified until the day of the Ohio State game.
What nobody knew at the time, at least for certain, was that what actually showed up on that test was a tumor marker.
It’s a test that might have saved Lofton’s life...”
Lofton’s stellar career was interrupted by the most devastating shock. Through tremendous faith, drive and focus, he was able to lead his team back to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2008 Men’s NCAA basketball tournament. But it was his victory over fear and the paralysis that often accompanies it that was his greatest triumph. As he awaits the upcoming NBA draft, may he have many more victories - on and off the court.
What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!
Leave a comment
kc’s photos
kc tv
kc’s blogroll
- Paulo Coelho » The classic book 'The Alchemist' was my entrée to the world of Paulo Coehlo. Then, through Google Alerts, Paulo reached out to me to thank me for giving his book to my audiences. Now, we plan to collaborate on projects that inspire the world.
- African Sports Outreach International » "My Nike colleague and fellow soccer fanatic, Paul Goodrich’s program which provides uniforms, soccer match play and hope to youth in Southern and West Africa.
- Idea Sandbox » “Paul Williams is a former Starbucks creative and the founder of the Idea Sandbox, an international marketing firm specializing in better ideas through Remarkability, Creative Problem Solving, and Brand Building.”
- Priscilla McIntire » "Priscilla McIntire, formerly Priscilla Palmer, is a life coach specializing in personal development who I was introduced to through the blogosphere.
- Tom Peters! » Tom is the "uber-guru" of management and inventor of the enormous "management guru industry." I was introduced to Tom through his books and his article in Fast Company magazine, 'The Brand Called You.'
kc’s Blog Search
kc’s archives
Rules of the Red Rubber Ball
by Kevin Carroll
Order from the Katalyst Shop and 10% of your order goes to an organization for social change.
More >
It is a pleasure to join the ESPN community as a contributor and provocateur around Sports for Social Change. I want to hear from anyone that thinks sports has the ability to impact a community or an individual in a positive way.
Go to ESPN and join the conversation!
Comments
Watching Chris struggle through the end of the season, it was clear that something was wrong.
After hearing his story several weeks later, it’s incredible that he was able to be on the court.
Chris lofton stated that it was his experience in sports that had him ready to face and overcome his challenges.
Your message is real and important..Keep it up!
- Posted by on 05/16
Dear Kevin,
I’ve been interviewing lately to return to teaching (20 years overall, 15 full-time) and I just came back from New York, where I had what could best be described as a spiritually uplifting day. Along the thread of overall “connectedness” between the school and me was a moment during a conversation about the need for students (and really, everyone) to travel and experience other cultures.
We agreed that when we reach out to find the humanity in others while enjoying our “differences” it becomes impossible to hurt them in any context. And while the challenges for those who would build bridges instead of destroy them have perhaps never been greater, we shall never stop. We shall never give up. We will be who we are, no matter what. And while we have hope for more peaceful, joyful futures we will find and work for such things in the here and now. We can make it happen as long as we have the power of choice. And we will. Hate has no chance to win, spiritually or logically. For the former all we have to do is look within ourselves; for the latter all we have to do is look at history. All we have to do is keep daring. Why not us? Why not now?
But whether our context is so overt as an exchange program or so subtle as a seemingly-innocuous gesture, we have enormous power at our disposal.
I was working for an after-school program when one day I was sent to work at a particular middle school for just that day. I was told that two boys were a little bit more challenged than the others and would need extra time and attention during the homework period. I gave them my best--or so I thought--during that time and then we all went outside to play.
After joining the double-dutch jump-roping for a bit I went over to the basketball court where the same two were randomly hoisting shots with about eight other kids. Some shots went down, but never for the two I’ll remember forever, if not by their names but for their hearts. I asked if they wanted a little help with their form and they enthusiastically said “Yes!” It didn’t take long for either of them to make a basket, and their joy furthur illuminated a day already bright enough by weather standards.
Now they all wanted to play a full-court game! And we did… oh, we did. I felt as if I were 12 again, protesting (when I was already sweat-soaked and exhauted) that it couldn’t already be time to go back inside.
But the simple disappointment of a “child” told to come in from playing was overrun and overwhelmed by one of the most bittersweet moments of my life. As I sat down across from them and we all took some cool water, one asked if I was going to be back the next day. I said “No, my assignment here is just for today,” and his head dropped. When he picked his head up he said the words that will always simultaneously put a lump in my throat, put a tear in my eye, and break my heart: “I wish you could stay forever.”
I could barely answer. “Me too.”
Thank you for what you do, Kindred Spirit. You have a fan and a compatriot in me.
Sincerely,
Mark Vitali
- Posted by on 05/17