a COOL lesson

As Katelyn Beamish, an 11-year-old Oswego, IL resident, started to learn to walk she was attempting to beat another family member when it came to accomplishing the monumental feat, her father, "I learned to move when my dad was in a wheelchair, and I took my first steps as he tried to walk in his walker. I remember seeing my dad next to me, trying to walk with me."

Katelyn's father, Michael Beamish, was making a routine traffic stop as a West Chicago police officer when a car hit him head on, dragged him, and ran over his legs. He spent a week in a coma, endured 10 surgeries, returned home in a wheelchair, and was unable to walk. He was released from the hospital about a month and a half after the accident and entered physical therapy with the need to learn to walk again.

Katelyn was beginning to try and stand up at the same time Michael started his rehab, "I was able to get up in a walker, but I was in a lot of pain doing it. Katelyn was progressing naturally. It actually became a thing in our family to see who would walk first. Katelyn ended up beating me, but not by much."

As they both progressed towards their goals they realized the importance of each step along the way, Katelyn was attempting to take her first unassisted steps and Michael was fighting to stand and walk again, "None of the doctors thought he would walk again, but he proved them all wrong," Katelyn proudly announces.

Today, Michael is able to walk but unable to return to his job as a police officer. He does help coach Katelyn's soccer but chronic pain keeps him from participating in the game as he stands on the sidelines and cheers. Katelyn expresses that her dad is doing pretty well despite the pain and is a role model,"We are all very proud of our dad for all that he has accomplished and teaching us that nothing is too hard to overcome."

Michael realizes how lucky he is, "I am doing better. I am so lucky to be alive; every day is Father's Day now."

Here's to you Officer Michael Beamish for overcoming a major accident, the pain, and for teaching such a cool lesson to your daughter and others-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Officer Michael Beamish's will to walk again and the lesson he taught his daughter?