Training Logs - TRAINING LOG: Little Duncan

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TRAINING LOG: Little Duncan

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Topic: TRAINING LOG: Little Duncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Subject: TRAINING LOG: Little Duncan
Date Posted: 3/02/14 at 9:43pm

Posted with permission of the management.

The little guy is already rolling along. Training notes and training videos will follow soon!

Replies:

Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 3/03/14 at 7:26am

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/03/14 at 8:10am

I am absolutely STOKED to see what Duncan has been up to; complete with guest appearances by Roland the Destroyer!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 3/03/14 at 8:26am

Super excited to see what the boys have been up to this last year!

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/03/14 at 3:47pm

Monday 3/3/14

Dead Lift to Hip Snatch (yes really)

More a balance complex than a strength complex at this stage.
Seated on his bench - dead lift off a block - slow-mo snatch up to pause - lower - repeat
1 pound weight bar x 5
2 pound weight bar x 3
4 pound weight bar x 3

Wheelbarrows (walking on hands with hip support)
30 feet x 2

An excellent short workout.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/04/14 at 11:56am

MOAR!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/14 at 12:59pm

Math homework tonight. Squats tomorrow.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/05/14 at 8:16pm

Tuesday 3/4/14

Physical Therapy with Miss Sarah.
Basketball drills with Coach Robinson -- working on balance and throwing

Wednesday 3/5/14

Recovery and stretching with Dad. Yoga stuff for my hips.
CP makes my left hip turn in and my right hip turn out. This puts a lot of strain on the left knee, that (when coupled with yesterday's basketball drills) builds up inflammation. I'm not able to bear much weight on my left knee this evening, but recovery will be quick. Mom will get my knee sleeve on me for tomorrow.

Thanks to Brittney and the Woods family!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/05/14 at 8:44pm

Flex!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 3/06/14 at 8:25am

Good stuff

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Mule

Sportkilt
AST Sport Supplements

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/06/14 at 11:01pm

Thursday 3/6/14

Physical therapy with "Iron Dawn"

Miss Dawn has been helping me since I was six months old. She's tough, but I owe that lady a lot.
Left knee is still not bearing weight, so no squats. I am under orders to rest it.
Lots of stretching and realignment.

Triceps

No squats, so I am learning to do bench dips instead.
Starting on the bench and pressing up on blocks.

Core stuff because you can never have too much.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Thanks! Mr. Parker.

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 3/11/14 at 5:50am

Nearly a full week without an update? Tell your dad he is slacking!

Have to say thanks for sharing the pictures of your little brother Roland giving it a go on 'Atlas Stones'

Pretty cool to have a kid brother that wants to work out with ya, isn't it?

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/11/14 at 6:19am

Drat. Ms. B beat me by minutes.

Monday 3/10/14

PT with Miss Sarah. Stretching and mobility.
Core work with Dad and Roland

Tuesday 3/11/14

I still can't bear weight on my left leg, so we are headed to my orthopedist, Dr. Fabregas, today.
What we expect is that Dr. Fabulous (we like to call him that) will recommend changing my ankle-foot-orthotics to knee-ankle-foot-orthotics. My orthotics craftsman, Jason, is really good and said he could probably make knee pieces that could attach and detach to my existing AFOs to make them KAFOs or not.
Itching to get out on the track. The flowers are blooming and time is wasting.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/12/14 at 7:22am

Quick update:
Dr. Fabulous said my hips are fine and that there is no bone damage in my knee. He wants to tweak the mechanical hinge on my left AFO to see if that will help. In the meantime the inflammation is better and I am able to bear a little weight. We will see what Iron Dawn says this week, and maybe I can do some cautious distance training this coming weekend.

Upper body work tonight. Dad says we're working on my guns, but visually impaired people don't shoot well, so I'm not sure what he has in mind.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Thank you Mr. Clevenger!

PS -- working on getting the music rights to post a new series of videos.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:04pm

Wednesday 3/12/14

Bench Press warmup

5 x 1 pound weight bar
3 x 2 pound weight bar
1 x 4 pound weight bar and hold for 10

Seated OHP

5 x 1/2 pound slosh pipe
3 x 1 pound slosh pipe
1 x 3 pound slosh pipe and hold for 10
Stabilizing my own core

Wheelbarrows for 30 feet

Flex! All done after reading and spelling homework.

Did some weight bearing on my left leg and it's holding steady. One more day off my feet and we'll see what happens at PT on Friday.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Nathan Parker
Date Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:34am

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Sport Kilt
JDJ Caber Company
Hylete.com

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:47am

I'm looking at my watch and it says POSE DOWN O'CLOCK!

Duncan and Roland the Conqueror!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/13/14 at 10:21am

Roland has better balance and speed. Duncan is just raw power. These lifts he's doing are for balance more than strength. He levered me out of the chair the last time we went to his dentist.

Heh... Roland the Conquerer... it's like you have a camera in our house.

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/15/14 at 3:49am

Friday 3/14/14

Physical Therapy with Iron Dawn

Stretching and realignment
Weight bearing and some waking with assistance
Medicine ball slams with a texture ball and then with a basketball while receiving only hip support
I have been cleared to get back to walking as long as we monitor my knee for inflammation!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/18/14 at 5:47am

Monday 3/17/14

Very short update to say, "I'm back on my feet! Freeeeedommmm!"
I am going to carefully resume lower body strength and distance training.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/18/14 at 6:03am

Lookin' swole LD. Keep after it!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/23/14 at 6:50pm

Week of 3/17/14 - 3/23/14 -- all walking practice

Hold the X walking. Iron Dawn has me doing this. For each step I twist the opposite hand forward to exaggerate the weight shift. I helps me take bigger steps.
Regular transitional walking at school. This got better as the week passed. I am getting some strength back in my knee.
First distance benchmark. While Mom was running her 5k race today, Dad, Roland, and I walked a quarter mile!

The new route for the March for Babies is all flat ground, and the main loop is 1.2 miles. My PR from last year is .75 miles, but I think I have time to get it.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/28/14 at 9:05am

Week of 3/24/14 - 3/28/14 -- all walking practice

Hold the X walking. Still taking bigger steps.
Soccer Drills with Coach Robinson at school!
Regular transitional walking at school. Still no issues with my knee.
Second distance benchmark will happen this weekend. If the weather holds, we will go to the track and see what I can do. Video footage!

Now... today was a good day. Iron Dawn is still pushing me to succeed on my crutches in Physical Therapy. Guess who found his balance today and did some marching in place with very little contact support?

I only have about a month left before the March. Time to get <more> busy.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 3/28/14 at 9:07am

1.2 miles is in the can. It's academic now.

Keep it up Duncan...we will if you will!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 3/28/14 at 9:27am

Love to hear all this wonderful progress! Get after it little D!

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/01/14 at 6:52am

Saturday 3/29/14

Distance

Attending the funeral of my Great-Uncle Jimmy in Rock Hill, SC, and I needed to get out of the crowd and walk. Clocked 1/4 mile at The Oratory.

Sunday 3/30/14

Big step training

Climbing 10" steps to work on leg isolation
Half of them left leg pushes and half of them right leg pushes

Wall Climb

Leg isolation again and hip abduction
Plus it's fun because I get to slide down.

Distance

Another 1/4 mile with Dad and Roland.
It's good to be outside in the sun.

Wall climb --

Walking --

Dad is working on a training video. It's time to start pushing the distance.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/07/14 at 10:00am

Week of 3/31 - 4/5

Spring Break from school!

Iron Dawn has me working on flat shoe walking, i.e. not with my leg braces. So every other day this past week we did hill climbs in my Converse Allstars. We want to build a little more strength before we push for more distance.

I also restarted hippotherapy last Friday. Riding a horse is very good for my core strength and my hips. My first year of hippotherapy was the final piece of the puzzle that helped me learn to walk. This is now my third year.

Dad also has me doing isometric exercises for my upper body -- lat holds and planks.

Dad and I visited some potential Team Duncan sponsors this weekend as well. We are trying to get the local businesses to kick in for a spot on the back of the team shirt. There is only a month left before the March for Babies, so we have to kick the fundraising into a higher gear.

New video coming soon!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 4/07/14 at 10:29am

Awesome Log, thanks for the pictures!

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Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs!

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/07/14 at 11:17am

Thank you Mr. Bill! Say 'hi' to Rosey for me.

Dad just sent off requests to IronMind and to Sorinex to see if they want to ~~sponsor~~ donate to the march as business/corporate sponsors. It never hurts to ask.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Edited to clarify 'sponsor'

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/08/14 at 2:03pm

Got a 'no' from Sorinex, but only because they put their charity contributions toward a veterans' organization. I'm certainly not going to argue with that.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/09/14 at 10:08pm

Wednesday 4/9/14 -- Physical therapy with Iron Dawn

Today was a major PR day. I managed to stand independently in my crutches with only intermittent touch cues from Dawn for one full minute. This is the first time I have ever stood in my crutches without support. Top of the world!

The endurance training and isometric training I have been doing for the March for Babies has had significant carry-over to my ability to stay stable in my crutches. I love it when a plan comes together.

And speaking of the March for Babies, donations are rolling in, and I am very excited. Only 24 days left to train and to raise money. The pressure is on.

Here is a new video as well:

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/13/14 at 10:24pm

Saturday 4/12
Upper body and balance work, with some endurance standing.

Sunday 4/13
New distance trial! Mama, Dad, Roland, and I went over to my school to practice on what we call the 'little track'. It is narrow, lumpy, and irregular, but it does go for a full quarter mile loop.

It did two of those, so the half-mile benchmark is in the bag! Thank you to Mama for the hip-hop, soul music, and bluegrass; and thank you to Dad for the AC/DC. All kids should have workout music so cool.

Plus I had enough left in the tank that Roland and I got to play on the new playground equipment that the school actually made handicap accessible. The new slides rock.

Show me your war face!

Only twenty days left until the March!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 4/14/14 at 7:31am

I love this kid! Keep moving forward Duncan!!!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/18/14 at 12:04pm

Week of 4/14 - 4/18

I have no injury or inflammation from my 1/2 mile benchmark last Sunday. Solid.
Transitional walking all week has been good.
I have been doing more isometric upper body strengthening all week, and today IronDawn set me up and I stood independently in my crutches for double the time I did last week.
Then we worked on weight shifting and having me reach up with one hand at a time without taking my arm out of the cuff on the crutch. This was no fun at all.

I will be knocking out the 3/4 mile distance trial this Sunday, so stand by for that. First though, we must quest for eggs.

Only 15 days left before the March, and guess who is now part of Team Duncan?

Solid.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 4/18/14 at 12:25pm

SWEET ACTION!!!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/20/14 at 10:12pm

Sunday 4/20
Mama, Dad, Roland, and I went over to the 'little track' for the next distance trial.

I completed three laps, so the three-quarter-mile benchmark is done! This matches my PR from last year. I did the first two laps faster than last week as well, and I am averaging about 20 minutes per lap. I was a little wobbly on the steps up to the slide afterward, so Dad made sure I got some banana and ibuprofen before bed. I will foam roll tomorrow.

The plan is to go a full mile next weekend, and then rest for the 1.2 mile March the following week. Only 13 days left until then.

Mom and Dad will be putting in the order for Team Duncan shirts tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. If you want one from this first run, please visit my link for how to get one. Then get a message to Dad with your size. We will probably end up doing a second order after the March, so there is still time if you don't get in by tomorrow.

Lastly, the March is on May 3rd. That is the same day as Arlington for my Texas friends and Triad HG for my friends in the southeast. If you are not already contesting those or another of the many games and would like to walk with us, please contact Dad or click the Join the Team link on my March page. It will be fun!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 8:13am

Mission Accomplished Duncan.

Very proud.

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 8:45am

The next mile is dedicated to you Mr. McCallum. It will be a PR.

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 8:49am

Video. It's what his fans, and yours, want.

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: Mike Beech
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 8:56am

Outstanding.

Sweet shirt as well ;)

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http://www.txceltics.org" rel="nofollow - Texas Celtic Athletic Association
http://www.throwbros.com" rel="nofollow - Throw Bros. - Aaron vs. Mike

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 9:51am

Update from Assistance-Coach Dad: Video will be forthcoming. The only clue I will give is that Edgar Winter will be horrified.

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: Sean
Date Posted: 4/22/14 at 10:13am

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwuhofgiHW1r8yr1vo1_500.gif" rel="nofollow">

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:51pm

Wednesday 4/23/14

Road trip to Panda Neurology down in the city for my every-three-month Botox injections. I get one in each hip adductor and one in each medial hamstring. My CP makes the muscles stay tight (spastic), and the Botox gets them to relax. Having the injections keeps my hips from pulling out of their sockets just from spasticity. The down side is that by the end of each three month period, I come to rely on the gradual tightening for stability; then when it's suddenly gone, I am susceptible to injury.

This time all the distance training has made me so strong that it's not an issue. Win, win, win.

Thursday 4/24/14

PT with Iron Dawn. (proud sponsor of Team Duncan)

Middle distance practice in a local parking lot. Practicing stepping up and down curbs, working on handicap ramps, and climbing hills. This helps 'imbed' the Botox fully into the muscles, so it lasts longer.

Friday 4/25/14

Hippotherapy at Genesis Therapeutics (proud sponsor of Team Duncan)

One hour of horseback for core stability and hip abduction. Plus it's fun.

Saturday 4/26/14

Flapjack Run 5K in ~~Ellijay~~ Jasper, GA

Mama ran the race and afterward we did this week's distance trial through downtown ~~Ellijay~~ Jasper. It is the closest analogue to the actual March for Babies course I have tried. Lots of distractions from traffic, people, hills, curbs, little brothers, etc., i.e. worst case training.

Well...

One mile -- check! I am coming for you 1.2.

One week left until the March. New video soon. Prepare for glory.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: Mike Beech
Date Posted: 4/26/14 at 6:37pm

Yes!

YES!!!

I seriously pumped my fist and screamed while driving when I read this! Great job little Duncan!

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http://www.txceltics.org" rel="nofollow - Texas Celtic Athletic Association
http://www.throwbros.com" rel="nofollow - Throw Bros. - Aaron vs. Mike

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 4/27/14 at 9:00am

Best news all day! Love to hear about his positive progress.

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 4/27/14 at 9:37am

Fantastic, just fantastic.

Posted By: eclarkhb
Date Posted: 4/27/14 at 7:54pm

Thats awesome! Congrats!!

Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 4/27/14 at 9:33pm

Great job duncan from a huge fan!

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JUST BRING IT /

SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES

Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 4/28/14 at 6:00am

Awesome!!!!!!!

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Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs!

Posted By: rogerws76
Date Posted: 4/28/14 at 6:07am

Nicely done, Dunc!!!

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Roger

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/28/14 at 1:19pm

Thank you all. I am ready for next Saturday. Let's do this!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

Posted By: rob meulenberg
Date Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:00am

Little late to this party, but this is wonderful! Keep it up Duncan.

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www.sportkilt.com

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:18am

rob meulenberg wrote:

Little late to this party, but this is wonderful! Keep it up Duncan.

Thank you Dr. Rob. I often wear my Silo Barbell shirt when I train.

Posted By: Nathan Parker
Date Posted: 5/01/14 at 8:37am

Two more days buddy!!!

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Sport Kilt
JDJ Caber Company
Hylete.com

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/01/14 at 9:54pm

Three bits of good news:

1) Team Duncan exceeded its fundraising goal. So far we have clocked in over $10,000, with over $7,000 under my name. That is a lot of money toward research to help at-risk mothers and babies.

2) I know this should be about my personal goals to make the 1.2 mile circuit (which I will) and the ultimate goal of raising the money for research; and it should not be about beating the other teams in the Appalachian Foothills Region. However... we have crushed all the other teams, and we will almost certainly be fielding the most people at the March on Saturday. We are doing our little part of the country proud.

3) Mama is picking up the first run of shirts tomorrow. Check out the back:

This week I have been working on hill sprints and core strength. So far, so good staying injury free. Getting amped up for Saturday morning!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 5/02/14 at 8:52am

Love to see all the community support on there!

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/02/14 at 9:32am

The little warrior is fairly well known in our town. Trick or Treat on the town square is always a blast, because of how many people come by to high-five him.

Part of that is selfish motivation from my wife and I. The more familiar Duncan is to people, the less 'different' he is. Tolerance falls short. Acceptance is the goal. We want the local community to embrace him the way NASGA has embraced him: one of us.

That's why all y'all are flagged on the sponsor map picture in his previous post as family, not friends. Family presupposes love.

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: Duncan McCallum
Date Posted: 5/02/14 at 10:10am

Can't wait to hear how this goes Duncan!

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The man in the arena.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/03/14 at 6:27am

Leaving within the hour. Team total is above $13,000!

Party time.

Posted By: Brittney
Date Posted: 5/03/14 at 8:28am

Get it! Keep us updated if ya can.

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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; so is alot. -Albert Einstein

Posted By: Nathan Parker
Date Posted: 5/03/14 at 9:40am

Boom!

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Sport Kilt
JDJ Caber Company
Hylete.com

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/03/14 at 4:15pm

Just got home from the after-party, and the great news is that Team Duncan made over $13,000 for the March of Dimes. After all the straggler donations come in, it may add up to almost $15,000. Boom indeed!

I made it all 1.2 miles and had a police escort the entire time! It was a lot more difficult that I expected, but I managed it. All the training and good energy that was sent, paid off.

More pictures and a celebration video to follow! This one is about 100 yards from the finish line on rubber legs.

Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 5/03/14 at 9:17pm

Way to GO!!!

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Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs!

Posted By: PaulEvans
Date Posted: 5/06/14 at 7:15pm

Late to the party, but great job on the fundraising and the finish!

Posted By: phatmiked
Date Posted: 5/06/14 at 8:49pm

Awesome

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Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/18/14 at 6:02pm

Update:

The Team Duncan total is officially in the books at just over $14000. Whoo-hoo!

There has been more talk about putting me up for National Ambassador, so we are looking into that.

Mom has put in the second order on Team Duncan shirts, so those will be coming in soon.

Dad is working on a celebration video. He's just old and slow.

There is a one mile charity race coming up on June 14th (the same day as Day 1 of the Blairsville Games) that I considering entering. I looks like an ideal next event.

Iron Dawn is killing me with step-ups... but that is her job.

I turned seven years old today. Every day is a gift.

Lastly, if you have spare mojo, please send it tomorrow afternoon. Mom and Dad are going into a very hostile school system meeting to fight for my rights to be included and to have appropriate adaptations provided. We already know how it will end, but not how painful it might be.

Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 5/18/14 at 9:13pm

Haapy birthday Duncan...from dwood(#1 NY fan)

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JUST BRING IT /

SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES

Posted By: rogerws76
Date Posted: 5/19/14 at 2:11am

La breith sona dhut LD!!!

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Roger

Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 5/19/14 at 5:41am

Happy Birthday!!!!

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Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs!

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 8:38am

August 2014

Successfully won a significant battle with the local school system for inclusion and educational rights. I am at or above grade level in all subjects and will continue to fight for fair testing.

PR

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 8:40am

September 2014

ConnectAbility Road Race

Got my own cheerleaders!

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 8:42am

October 2014

Seven Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga TN -- The Destroyer and I did the 1K race.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 9:00am

November 2014

Distance training on Astroturf -- much harder to walk.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 9:18am

January 2015

Distance training - 1/2 mile paved course in the wind

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 9:36am

March of Dimes is coming on May 2 and there will be training videos and information posted here very soon.

However there is bigger news -- after having passed through a lengthy screening process these last couple of months, I will be traveling to St. Louis Children's Hospital on May 10 to have selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery on May 12. There is a high probability that it will permanently fix a lot of my complications from cerebral palsy. That should mean: no more Botox injections in my leg muscles, no more permanent pain, reduced likelihood of future tendon lengthening or other orthopedic surgeries, and maybe being able to move out of my walker to crutches... or beyond. There is a long list of other potential related benefits but they are unpredictable. Rehab is intense, but my PTs are already lined up and have a "just say when" attitude.

March of Dimes training is now pre-hab. Distance training, belt squats, and side stepping with a hip circle... bring it.

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-selective-dorsal-rhizotomy-sdr" rel="nofollow - http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-selective-dorsal-rhizotomy-sdr

Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 10:17am

Definition of STRENGTH. Keep up the updates Tom!

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"Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein)

Posted By: rob meulenberg
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 11:10am

Awesome Tom. Best thing I've read in a few days. When we all wine about our own issues, we must remember there are people like LD who are dealing with serious stuff and doing it like a champion.

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www.sportkilt.com

Posted By: BrittneyBoswell
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 1:18pm

Could not be more excited and proud for you guys! What a champion he is.

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Highland Games - The drama is so high, because the stakes are so low.

Posted By: C. Smith
Date Posted: 3/04/15 at 6:34pm

Awesome. Just awesome.

Posted By: jsully
Date Posted: 3/05/15 at 8:48am

TomLawrence wrote:

I will be traveling to St. Louis Children's Hospital on May 10 to have selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery on May 12. There is a high probability that it will permanently fix a lot of my complications from cerebral palsy. That should mean: no more Botox injections in my leg muscles, no more permanent pain, reduced likelihood of future tendon lengthening or other orthopedic surgeries, and maybe being able to move out of my walker to crutches... or beyond. There is a long list of other potential related benefits but they are unpredictable. Rehab is intense, but my PTs are already lined up and have a "just say when" attitude.

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-selective-dorsal-rhizotomy-sdr" rel="nofollow - http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-selective-dorsal-rhizotomy-sdr

God is good, man. You are blessed.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 3/05/15 at 7:42pm

Thanks everybody. I have passed on your support to Duncan. I'll keep y'all updated.

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: SeanUrq
Date Posted: 3/08/15 at 3:48pm

That's wonderful news!!!

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Mean Well, Speak Well, Do Well

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/16/15 at 6:50am

It hit me this morning that the March for Babies is only a little over two weeks away. Duncan has been training, but I have not managed to make a video for two reasons:
1) unfortunately we are back into legal wrangling with his school system, which has taken a lot of time.
2) he has had to abstain from Botox injections in his legs to prepare for the surgery the following week, so normal distance training has not been possible.

All to say, we are scaling back the MoD campaign this year in preparation for the bigger events of the SDR surgery and a transition to a new school. If anyone does still want to support the cause, the link is:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan" rel="nofollow - http://www.marchforbabies.org/SupportDuncan

The March for Babies date is May 2, and I will keep y'all updated as we head to St. Louis on May 10 for the actual surgery on May 12.

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 4/29/15 at 12:21pm

Successful Individualized Education Program meeting at the school yesterday without attorneys involved = PR.

Little D is past his Botox injection window because the surgery is coming up, so the spasticity in his legs is slowing him down; however, his strength is up so he's still walking in spite of it. March for Babies is Saturday, and he will walk some. It just won't be the full distance this year.

Also of note, is that the team should hit its goal for the year, and that will push Duncan's 'lifetime' total over $50k. That's what we call giving back!

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: Nathan Parker
Date Posted: 4/29/15 at 12:54pm

Woohoo! Great job Duncan!

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Sport Kilt
JDJ Caber Company
Hylete.com

Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 4/29/15 at 4:21pm

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"Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein)

Posted By: Silverback
Date Posted: 4/30/15 at 8:38am

Great stuff here, thank you

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Mule

Sportkilt
AST Sport Supplements

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/03/15 at 3:42pm

Saturday 5/2/15

Appalachian Foothills March for Babies

Duncan walked about a 1/4 mile around the park (uneven terrain training, like walking with a slosh pipe), mostly just visiting folks and looking at the big diesel train that runs on the scenic railway. The local police that escorted him last year were all happy to see him, so he was handing out high-fives.

For the March itself we did it yoda-hike style, so we were able to keep up with the other marchers and talk to the local business folk who came out to watch and cheer. Over all it was a lot of fun.

Now the money - we completely missed our $5k goal... and topped out a little over $10k! Once all the checks get checked in, etc. Duncan's lifetime donation total to the MoD will be just over $55k. We figured that is about what it would cost to buy two of the high-end "giraffe bed" incubator beds that they use in neonatal intensive care units. Considering the highest need babies use those for about 3 months each, that maths out to 8 babies served per year and maybe at least 80 babies served for the life of the equipment. That's real, right there. Love it.

Thank you to all who donated cash and encouragement.

One week until we travel to St. Louis for the SDR surgery. Counting down.

Posted By: Nathan Parker
Date Posted: 5/04/15 at 9:20am

Now that's making an impact! Great job!!!

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Sport Kilt
JDJ Caber Company
Hylete.com

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 5/26/15 at 8:47pm

Duncan is getting stronger every day and making progress on the prescribed stretches and strength building exercises. He is also getting professional PT four times a week from Iron Dawn and Cowgirl Nicki.

He's back to being able to bear some weight on his legs so the PTs requested a new set of parallel bars. NMB Therapy Devices was happy to provide the parallel bars that Gotham deserves.

And because the purple PVC cleaner on the white fittings inspired a little mayhem, we added some green:

Tom

Posted By: Brian Randell
Date Posted: 5/26/15 at 9:22pm

Love it!

Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 5/27/15 at 5:33pm

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"Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein)

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 1/10/16 at 10:23pm

Finally --

https://youtu.be/6u4TdcNNo7c" rel="nofollow - This is PROGRESS!

Enjoy!

Tom

https://youtu.be/6u4TdcNNo7c" rel="nofollow -

Posted By: grasshopper
Date Posted: 1/13/16 at 11:35am

This made my day. Find a way to bottle the courage and testicular fortitude that kid has and you'll be a trillionaire Tom. Thank you for sharing this journey.

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"Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein)

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 1/13/16 at 11:42am

Thanks TROB! I will let him know you said that.

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 1/11/17 at 1:15pm

Duncan is having both hips rebuilt on January 27th, 2017 in Atlanta. I have lost the name of the two procedures (Shawn would probably know off the top of his head), but essentially the surgeon will sever the femur, take out a wedge of bone to create a properly angled femoral head, and bolt the femur back together; then use that wedge of bone to build up the pelvic socket into the correct shape. Same on both sides.

Apparently the recovery is brutal, but it should preserve his ability to walk long-term and maybe improve it by adding stability and fixing a leg length discrepancy. He'll have to learn how to walk all over again, but we've done that twice now and know how to do it.

We don't need anything; I'm just putting this on here because y'all know the lad and view him as a fellow athlete.

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.

Posted By: dWood
Date Posted: 1/11/17 at 6:01pm

Thanks Tomm for the update! Tough work ahead but a kid with a will and heart as big as little Duncan will conquer any challenge put before him. You and your family are in our prayers (dwood and Terri James)

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JUST BRING IT /

SPEED KILLS..BUT STRENGTH PUNISHES

Posted By: KiltBill
Date Posted: 1/12/17 at 8:26am

Thanks for the update, will be praying for his speedy recovery!

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Remember Kay Cummings, Father of the Highland Games in the Southeast and my friend. Lets Go Run With The Big Dogs!

Posted By: Bill Boyd
Date Posted: 1/12/17 at 3:54pm

Tom, can we buy Team Duncan t-shirts? If so, where and how? Any info is appreciated.

Posted By: AlDargie
Date Posted: 1/12/17 at 4:22pm

Awesome video Tom, thanks for sharing.

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Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy. - Outlaw Josey Wales