June 10, 2014

by: Emily Hastings

Teen Finishes 40-Mile Trek Carrying Brother for Cerebral Palsy Awareness

After walking 40 miles in the summer sun, Hunter and Braden Gandee completed their remarkable trek today to raise awareness about cerebral palsy. During the entire walk Hunter Gandee carried his little brother Braden, to give a face to the disease.

Braden, 7, is unable to walk without assistance due to the disease.

Hunter Gandee, 14, hatched the plan for the walk as a way to draw attention to the disease. For months the high school student trained with weights to prepare his body for carrying his little brother that many miles.

The pair arrived at their scheduled destination, University of Michigan, this afternoon.

Dubbed the “Cerebral Palsy Swagger,” the march was designed by Hunter Gandee and his family to get the attention of the next generation of researchers, scientists, and doctors to show them “the face” of cerebral palsy. They hope to inspire experts to develop new medical procedures and mobility devices for those with cerebral palsy.

The first leg of the trip the brothers covered a grueling 25 miles, with Hunter carrying Braden Gandee the whole way.

Today the brothers faced some summer showers as they eventually walked the final miles to their goal.

Hunter told ABC News last month that this walk was strictly to raise awareness. Those who have wanted to donate have been pointed to the University of Michigan’s Cerebral Palsy Research Consortium. Hunter said that he can be “very protective” of his little brother.

“If he has any problems, I’m right there by his side,” Hunter said.

ABC News’ Tina Chen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article was shared from ABC News
by Gillian Mohney posted on June 8, 2014
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2014/06/08/teen-finishes-40-mile-trek-carrying-brother-for-cerebral-palsy-awareness

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