For me it’s very humbling because I see capable men taking a crippled body and doing for him what he can’t do for himself. There are few things in life that Michael can enjoy and that he can do and participate in. ... So to be able to see him participate in something and feel like he's part of something, I enjoy that. – Ronda Wiscombe
Jody Tait and his family have spent many summers training for the Bear Lake Brawl triathlon.
But for the past three years, their efforts have not been for their own accolades. Rather, they've been training so that Tait's brother-in-law, Michael Wiscombe, could compete.
Wiscombe, 31, was born with spastic cerebral palsy, which affects all of his limbs and his ability to communicate.
"They told us they didn't even know if he would make it at birth after he was born," said Ronda Wiscombe, Michael's mother. "And as time went on, they told us they gave him a life expectancy of only 20 years."
But Michael Wiscombe continues to live his life to the fullest, and for the past three years has spent many summer days with Tait, who is married to Michael's sister Brittany, in order to train for the Bear Lake Brawl.
The idea to involve Michael Wiscombe first came three years ago from Jody Tait's father, who frequently participated in the triathlon with his sons. The Taits purchased a kayak and Ronda Wiscombe purchased a rolling attachment that could be pushed while running and pulled by a bicycle.
On Sept. 12, Michael Wiscombe competed in his third Bear Lake Brawl, being pulled 750 meters during the swim portion, pulled 12.4 miles during the bike portion and pushed 3.1 miles during the running portion. The race was completed by Jody Tait, his father, brother and neighbor.
"For me it’s very humbling because I see capable men taking a crippled body and doing for him what he can’t do for himself," Ronda Wiscombe said. "There are few things in life that Michael can enjoy and that he can do and participate in. ... So to be able to see him participate in something and feel like he's part of something, I enjoy that."
Each year during the race, Michael's parents, Ronda and Stan Wiscombe, cheer him on from the sideline, each wearing T-shirts that read "Michael's Warriors." They consider themselves part of the road crew.
Having competed with Michael for the past three years, Tait explained that his favorite part of the event is the impact it has on others.
"The first thing that comes to mind is, how I feel like it inspires others to do something positive to help someone else," Tait wrote to the Deseret News in an email. "Everyone we pass on the trail cheers us on, and they are all so happy to see Michael participate in the race."
Although he cannot speak, Michael Wiscombe continues to express his excitement for the event each year.
"He looks forward to Saturday morning running and biking sessions as we near September each year," Tait said. "He nods his head and smiles whenever we talk about our plans to train or go to the Brawl. Michael has a lot more of a personality than people often see. ... The nights before the race he's so excited that he's not able to sleep."
Ronda Wiscombe expressed her gratitude for the service provided for her son.
"We have tried to give him a good life, and he has been able to see things and do things," she said. "I hope to see him do this as long as he has someone that can be healthy enough to do it for him."
Email: spetersen@deseretnews.com | Twitter: @Sarah_DNews