Close Ad

This Little Girl Couldn't Walk, So Her Teacher Carried Her on His Back
Ryan Neighbors and teacher
Everyday Heroes

This Little Girl Couldn't Walk, So Her Teacher Carried Her on His Back

When this 10-year-old girl couldn't get to her class field trip in her wheelchair, her teacher offered to carry her on his back.

People with disabilities are often kept away from adventures, but with a little consideration and compassion, there’s no reason every child can’t experience the beauty and wonder of nature with their friends and classmates.

Ryan Neighbors is a 10-year-old 4th grader based in Kentucky with spina bifida. She uses a wheelchair to get around, but the class field trip was to Falls of the Ohio State Park, a non-wheelchair accessible site, so her teacher and her mom had to get a little creative.


"Normally with field trips like this, when they're not accessible, we take an educational day and she and I go out and make our own field trip in the city," her mom Shelly King explained.

This time, she planned on using a specially-designed backpack carrier to carry Ryan, and was talking to Ryan's teachers about the plan.

He stepped up and agreed to carry the weight

That's when Jim Freeman, Ryan's science teacher, reached out and offered to carry Ryan on his back all day.

King wrote about that event on the "Team Ryan" Facebook page and it quickly went viral.

“Mr. Freeman stepped in and was like 'Oh, I don't mind carrying her, it's completely fine,'" King said. "We were all just like 'What?' Like, fifty pounds of dead weight is kind of taxing on your body. He just stepped in out of nowhere and offered to do it."

Because of this selfless act by Mr. Freeman, Ryan got to experience the day much like her classmates did. It's a valuable lesson for us all about stepping up and doing what we can for those who need lifting up.

It's also a valuable reminder about accessibility: we must be careful not to exclude people who are different than us and who need to experience things uniquely. It's vital we find a way for everyone to be involved with the beautiful things in life. That difference is what makes life truly beautiful.

More stories about everyday heroes:

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man walking in the rain and a man holding an elderly woman's hand.

Texas Man Goes Into Storm To Take Care of Elderly Neighbors

TikTok/ @ahhcarrizaa and Pexels/ Ron Lach

These days, a sense of community and neighborly support is becoming increasingly rare. Many of us don't even know our neighbors; the extent of our relationship relegated to a quick wave if we happen to cross paths.

But luckily for this elderly couple, they seem to have hit the jackpot when it comes to neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News