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By Randy Schmidt
 Ben Hagkull has a shirt in his closet that reads: Don't tell me what I can't do! It says a lot about the budding athlete, who at eight years of age has nine triathlons under his belt. That would be exceptional enough, were it not for the fact that Ben has spina bifida, a birth defect that has left him with no sensation below the knees.
Brad & Ben - part 1
Brad's Story
. . . For the biking leg of the race, Brad adapted a trail-along-bike with custom pedals. Ben can push a little, and make a contribution, says Brad. And training sessions would often have Ben yelling at his dad to pedal faster!
And for their first run event, Ben was still small enough to use a jogging stroller. Since he has grown, they have customized a racing wheelchair by welding a 1977 Black and Decker electric lawn mower handle on the back.
Ben recalls that first effort at Harrison Hot Springs. It was sunny with lots of people looking at us. I really liked being in the boat, and I got splashed a bit, but that's ok.
When asked what's hardest about the races, he says, Cycling. It takes a lot of work, especially the hills!
By Kindergarten, Ben had completed two triathlon events, likely making him the world's youngest tri-athlete, according to his dad.
When dad is asked what he enjoys most about the races, he talks warmly of the bonding time. Most dad's would love it if they could have that much uninterrupted time with their kids. We just have an amazing time together.
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The two share a love for country music, and Ben's favourite training tune is country music star Brad Paisley's Mud on Tires.
What has the impact been, for Ben? Brad has seen his confidence grow. We get a great response from the other tri-athletes. When some of them start to pass on the leg back, they have great things to say, and Ben has grown in his confidence to encourage them, back.
And their family has been supportive, with another uncle joining them the last two races. It has been so good for Ben to see all of that.
In fact, Ben may soon be ready to go solo in a kid's triathlon. Last year he was able to swim 20 lengths in the pool.
Does Ben have any advice for other kids who may want to try a triathlon? Try your hardest if you really want to do it. Remember, finishing is winning.
That's the motto Team Hagkull has adopted for itself, because, as dad says, everyone deserves the thrill of crossing the finish line. And that's the motto Brad's given to a new running event he's helped organize for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of B.C. (http://www.sbhabc.org ).
Ben and his parents felt they have received so much support, that they decided it was time to give back and initiated a run/walk/ wheel event in their hometown. The Hope River Classic is an annual event whose aim is to raise awareness and funds for spina bifida.
We realize disability' is just a word, says Brad. And, we have the power to create memories for our kids. By God's grace, we're trying to ensure that both our boys have great experiences and positive family times to look back on.
January 10/2008
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