At the beach, my ten-year-old son, using prosthetic legs, laughed as sand poured through them. Ignoring stares, he tossed them aside and ran to the water, swimming with astonishing grace. The crowd clapped, and I realized I’d been overprotecting him, fearing he was fragile. He wasn’t—he was free. That night, he said he swam to prove he could, unafraid. The next day, a swim coach, Carla, saw his potential and offered free training. Despite initial struggles and skepticism from others, he won local races, even against able-bodied kids. Some parents
complained his body gave him an unfair edge, shaking my confidence. But his determination, shown in a drawing of himself winning gold, kept us going. He broke a regional record, earning awe. Tragically, Carla later collapsed from undisclosed cancer. Devastated, my son nearly quit, but I reminded him of her belief in him. At nationals, he won first place, dedicating it to Carla. His story spread, inspiring many. Years later, he told me he swam that first day to live without waiting for permission. He taught me that freedom isn’t about being whole—it’s about being unafraid to be yourself. Don’t let fear hold you back; dive into life’s waves.
