38-year-old Ed Kastern of Oshkosh had been confined to a wheelchair for most of his life, but about a year and a half ago, he had an epiphany about his cerebral palsy.
"You can either do something about it or you can sit there, so I just wanted to do something about it," he says.
With the encouragement of his home health agency, Ed set a goal to get up on his weak legs and do something many thought was impossible; start walking.
"When I did that, I felt like I was going to die."
But each day, he gained enough strength to go a little farther and posted videos of each milestone on his Facebook page for all to see.
"The walking has done so much not for me physically, but it's helped my confidence."
Determined to do more, the "Super Fan" who rarely missed an Oshkosh Lourdes High School volleyball game, suddenly found himself on the receiving end of the support. The players and coach helped Ed achieve another dream of hitting a ball over the net.
"I'm so proud of him. I haven't been more proud of anybody in my whole life," says junior player Erica Sommerfeld.
"You could see someone whose been working so hard to accomplish so many things, and it definitely inspired us to push harder," explains senior player Jordyn Giese.
Giese and Sommerfeld are now Ed's biggest cheerleaders. They've helped him train to win numerous events in the Special Olympics.
Sommerfeld says, "He competes with all of his heart. He leaves it all out on the track or on the court. He does everything with his whole heart and that's amazing. Everybody should have that quality."
The volleyball team was also by Ed's side every step of the way as he crossed the finish line at Oshkosh's Run with the Cops." He walked two of the three miles on his own. Ed calls it his Super Bowl.
He says, "I think I bawled when I crossed the finish line. It was something so incredible just the fact that I was out there doing it."
Even on the day NBC26 filmed Ed's story, he accomplished another first when he made a basket on a 10 foot tall basketball hoop. His message to the public is simple.
"If they want to do something, do it. Don't shy back from it."
Ed is taking his own advice by setting new goals to pitch a softball and finish the Oshkosh half marathon.
"I know with these two by my side, anything is possible," he said referencing Giese and Sommerfeld.
And as he continues to make progress, he inspires everyone.
"We wouldn't have been who we are today if he hadn't come into our lives," explains Giese.
But even as he conquers more, new challenges, Ed says he will always remain humble.
"I don't think I'm really an inspiration, I'm just me."
Ed has now been walking for 542 days and remains determined to walk without assistance. He also wants to start a foundation called Stand Up for Your Dreams. Through different events, he hopes children with special needs will learn to challenge themselves, so they can lead a more independent life.
Ed is looking for community support and guidance to create the foundation and begin fundraising. If you would like to help his cause, you can email him at edwardkastern@yahoo.com .
