The Ben Comen Story

Ben Comen might hold the record as the slowest high school cross country runner in the world.  In a typical 3.1 mile race, he takes 40-42 minutes to finish. There is, however, a catch to this inspirational story because Ben Comen is no ordinary runner.

Ben Comen was born with cerebral palsy. He has limited control of his arms and the stiffness in his legs make even walking a strenuous task. Leg braces and physical therapy help improve his functioning but can not change his circumstances.

"I'm more relaxed when I run. When I run, nothing bothers me much." Ben exclaimed with enthusiasm when asked why he enjoyed running so much.

For as long as he could remember, Ben craved to be part of a sports team but no one wanted someone like him to handicap their teams. At best, coaches were only willing, out of pity, to allow him a spot on the bench or to be their water boy. They did not want him to actually participate. His parents would go out of their way to enlist Ben in one of the school's sports teams, but no one took him in until Chuck Parker, the high school cross country coach at Hanna High School did so.

From the moment Ben joined his high school cross country team in eighth grade, his story began to impact others in the school and community. Ben took his role on the team very seriously. Waking up before dawn on most days, he would train on his own, jogging around the community of Anderson, South Carolina. Some days, his siblings would join in. But most often, he trained on his own.

On race day, Ben would line up with everyone else at the starting line. As soon as the starter's gun sounded, Ben would be quickly left behind while the other runners powered ahead of him. Within the first few minutes, Ben would be running alone over the uneven ground of the cross country course. Ben’s goal would always be to try beating his own personal best time, generally around 40-42 minutes for a 3.1 mile race.

Because of his cerebral palsy, Ben falls often and falls hard.  He doesn’t have the reaction time necessary to prevent it.  Anything can trip him up from a twig to an uneven clump of grass.

"I've been coaching cross country for 31 years," says Hanna's Chuck Parker, "and I've never met anyone with the drive that Ben has. I don't think there's an inch of that kid I haven't had to bandage up."

But not before he finishes the race.  Ben hasn’t quit once.  When he falls and goes through the 15 second process of getting back up and getting his bloodied knees back underneath him and stable again, “Words can’t describe it.” His mother says.  “I have seen grown men just stand there and cry.”

To Ben, there was no such thing as quitting. He had been given the privilege of racing despite his handicap, and he was not about to ever quit.  At most races, after the other runners finished the race, they would re-run the same race route and catch up with Ben to 'run him home'.

Ben’s story is wonderful and inspirational but would not be complete without acknowledging the contribution of all those who stood with him along the way, especially his family and coach Parker. In honor of all of these people, Ben and his family have started a nonprofit foundation designed to honor those who give their all - on the course and off. The Ben Comen, Living Without Limits Fund of the Foothills Community Foundation seeks to provide information and resources to challenged athletes, and to recognize their accomplishments and the accomplishments of those who support them.

Ben’s story has inspired not only his community but many others as well.  He has met with President George Bush, and Kevin Cosner has not only donated to his foundation but has attended events in Anderson, South Carolina.

There are plenty of people in the world like Ben who face challenges every day.  Some are born with their challenges and some face them as the result of an accident or disease or in the service of our country. It’s good to know that the Coach Parkers of the world are out there to stand by them and believe in them.

And by the way, Hanna High is also the home of a mentally challenged man known as Radio, who has been the football team's assistant for more than 30 years. This is the same Radio who was portrayed in the 2003 movie by that name staring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris.

Be inspired everyone, be like coach Parker and have a great day.