Mom's Voice Leads Blind 11-Year-Old Girl to Marathon Finish Line

on December 14, 2011 at 5:10 PM

wakana ueda Wow. The next time I hear one of my kids use the phrase "I can't," remind me to show them this video. Also, the next time I complain about anything, remind me to watch this video. It's triumphant, it's joyful, it's inspiring, and it literally made me sob.

Eleven-year-old Wakana Ueda is blind, but she didn't let that stop her from running in the 26.2-mile Honolulu marathon.

About halfway through, her legs began cramping, but she didn't let that stop her from following the sound of her mother's voice all the way to the finish line.

I don't think Wakana Ueda would let anything stop her from doing anything she set her mind to doing.

As a human being, Ueda's determination and strength make me feel hopeful and courageous.

As a mom, though, the tears streaming down her cheeks as she crosses the finish line and walks straight into her mother's open arms ... the sight makes my heart break, but not in a sad way, exactly. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that it makes my heart feel like it's going to burst. It's one of the most poignant illustrations of the love between a mother and child I've ever seen.

How does this video make you feel as a person? As a mom?

Image via Hawaii News Now

About the author Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

Filed Under: in the news

Comments (51)

Stacey.

on Dec 14, 2011 at 5:14 PM

Supposedly she wanted to quit a few times throughout the race due to cramping and pain.

It is good she finished and yada yada yada but people DIE doing marathons and i think it was wrong for them to push her harder when she wanted to stop. Even had she not crossed the line she still would have been a success and its sad her family didnt acknowledge that.

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Nonmember comment from Lila Simmons

on Dec 15, 2011 at 11:24 AM

It makes me proud I was always amaze how the disable acconplish their goals as a mom now I can only the joy and pride that mother felt. It warms my heart when I come from work and my son smiles at me and fights to get out my mother"s,father"s or siters"s arms just to get in mines.

JP-StrongForTwo

on Dec 15, 2011 at 11:37 AM

I think its amazing and beautiful. Her family wasnt forcing her. they were SUPPORTING HER. Im sure before the race she said 'i am finishing no matter WHAT. dont let me quit'

I think it was wonderful. ANd they had an ambulence behind her just in case. she was fine. I think her family is PROUD of her.

why are mothers so quick to let thier kids give up on something that they dream about and practice for and struggle for?

Kemaria

on Dec 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM

Good for her, but is it healthy for an eleven year old to be running that far and for that long (14 hours)?

At least she'll have a killer college application essay subject when she's older.

AKIMNA_ASHUN

on Dec 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM

I love to see others Success, particularly children's!!! ;.} It is such a refreshing in light of all the news about children bullying, raping, murdering and stealing.

Is our concern for this girls health and whether she was forced, our care or us is it limiting our children because we are not remembering their power and potential?

momversuswild

on Dec 15, 2011 at 2:27 PM

awesome!!

VMoreno

on Dec 15, 2011 at 3:17 PM

She looked ready to drop dead as they were DRAGGING her! Poor thing.

lehoffman

on Dec 15, 2011 at 5:35 PM

This is a HUGE accomplishment, especially for an 11 year old but I would just like to point out that it took her 14 hours. She most likely took a lot of breaks and walked a lot. A marathon can be walked in 6-7 hours. While it probably tired her out a lot, I don't think she was in a lot of danger.

Adelicious

on Dec 15, 2011 at 10:05 PM

Hmmm... my first reaction to the article was "That's awesome!" Then seeing the video I was thinking, "Wait, is this what she wanted to do, or does she have a Tiger mom?" She was crying. Fourteen hours? WOW. I guess I just need more info. I don't know what to think. She sure didn't look very triumphant, she looked like a lost little blind girl trying to find the end of a long day. I dunno, I just dunno.