Determination takes Sault, Mich. teen to huge U.S. sporting competition

As the saying goes, "Where there is a will, there is a way."

And one Sault Area High School senior proves that every single day.

Meet Johnny Osborn.

He was born prematurely at 27 weeks with his twin brother, Andy, in Sault Ste. Marie then transferred to a Marquette hospital.

Soon after, when Johnny was only 8 weeks old, he was flown via Survival Flight to University of Michigan Medical Center for additional testing.

He was finally able to come back home to the Sault 10 weeks later.

After that, it was all about follow-up appointments at U of M. While there, that is when Johnny's parents found out he had cerebral palsy at around nine months old.

Since birth, Johnny has endured seven surgeries, having to teach himself to walk after many of them, but that never slowed him down.

He was four the first time he walked without any assistance.

Johnny's mother, Andrea, said he was always a fighter and never a quitter.

He first started playing soccer in elementary school with crutches and then in third grade, Andy wanted to run cross-country and Johnny wanted to run, too.

His school, JKL Bahwetting, supported Johnny all the way.

Johnny has been running cross country since then, and, Andrea says, he wasn’t ever interested in using his disability as an excuse.

“When he was in running club elementary, running cross country meets, they wanted to shorten the route. And he’s like, no, I want to do the full distance like everyone else. So, I think that’s the uniqueness about Johnny is that he never wanted something easier, shorter, to have to do less,” Andrea said.

Fast-forward to this week.

Andrea and Johnny, now 17, are heading to Alabama so he can participate in the Hartford Nationals.  

The Hartford Nationals is the largest and longest-standing national sport championship event for athletes with a physical, visual and/or intellectual disability, and this year it takes place from July 12-18.

He earned himself a spot in the competition by working hard and being determined.

Johnny will be participating in the shot put, along with the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter races... something he never even thought was possible.

“I’m so glad that it hasn’t hit me yet, but that is something that was never in the picture. I never thought I was going to do anything at nationals ever,” said Johnny. “This year, everything exploded where I was almost consistently always going faster with my time, so my times were getting better and my distances for throwing were getting better," Johnny said.

Johnny refused to let his disabilities determine what he really wanted, and wants, to do. His determination is why he is where he is today. 

Johnny and Andrea will be the only two flying down to the nationals. Her husband Josh, and their other children, will stay home. Andrea will have to transport the adaptive bike with extreme care to prevent damage. They also need a specialized van in Alabama to transport the bike.