Scout Overcomes Disabilities To Earn Eagle
It’s always inspiring to read about young men who must overcome exceptional odds to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Take, for example, Garrett Becker from Waukesha, Wisconsin, who suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and blindness. Garrett recently completed his Eagle Scout project by collecting clothing for a local non-profit agency that helps the homeless and other disadvantaged residents.
When Garrett was born, doctors told his parents he had only a 15 percent chance of living longer than 6 months. He is now 21 years old.
(According to the official BSA rules on earning the rank of Eagle, Scouts can be granted extensions on the Eagle Scout due date if they suffer from “significant disabilities that do not meet the level of severity or permanence required for registration beyond the age of eligibility with a disability code, but are such that they essentially preclude advancement within the time frame allowed.”)
How times have changed. I was born with a variation of cerebral palsy. When I was of scouting age, I was discouraged from being in scouts because they felt I “couldn’t do it”. Now I am a UC and I have made it my “mission” to encourage scouting to EVERY boy, regardless of his physical condition. Congratulations Garrett for a job well done.
Way to go!! Welcome to the club.