SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (CNN) – An amazing story that proves dreams can come true with hard work and determination.
A runner from the University of Oregon has become the first athlete with cerebral palsy to sign with Nike.
Parents Brent and Tracy Gallegos have so much to be proud of in their son, Justin. He’s a college student and a cross-country runner at the University of Oregon who just scored an endorsement contract from Nike.
“There’s been many moments along his story – where he surprises us and these great things happen,” said Brent Gallegos, Justin’s father.
Justin made great things happen in the face of great adversity.
He has cerebral palsy – a condition that affects muscle and motor function that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a pro runner.
And last weekend after Justin’s college race, a representative from Nike showed up, surprised him with a contract and captured the moment in the video above.
“He’s worked very hard for it and when he sets his goals he sets them very high,” said Tracy Gallegos, Justin’s mother. “He says I make my goals very high and so scary that I have to go for them.”
“I’m still kinda in shock that it happened,” said Justin in an interview via FaceTime.
Justin hopes his story will help inspire others.
“You don’t have to let your disability or physical impairment stop you.”
“You can do anything you put your mind to, it doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not,” added Tracy. “And Justin is living proof of that.”
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