When the American flag appeared at his high school homecoming parade, a young Floridian boy wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way when he stood to pay his respect.
With arms straining under the weight of his body, Arek Trenholm pulled his fragile body up and out of his wheelchair as the flag, proudly rippling in the wind, passed by.
His small display of patriotism did not go unnoticed — in fact, it went viral. Someone caught the gesture on camera and posted it on social media. As the image of Arek’s patriotism spread across the internet with lightning speed, it caught the attention of a man who wanted to show support for the impressive move.
“[If] somebody with a disability and a limitation can do it, other people can do it, too.” explained David Maszik, a business owner from Michigan, with his voice cracking as he held back tears. “He’s a great example for a lot of people, and it was neat to see.”
Maszik was so touched that he wanted to make it a little easier for Arek to stand up for his country, literally.
Maszik is the founder of The Standing Company, and just like the name, the innovative design enables wheelchair-bound individuals the ability to stand, allowing them to live a healthier, freeing experience.
When the sparkling mandarin orange colored chair was revealed, Arek was speechless. With a coy smile, he slid himself into the plush, black seat and tested it out.
For the first time in 10 years, Arek, who was diagnosed with spina bifida, was able to stand effortlessly. The boost in his confidence level was vividly rising as he finally looked into his mom’s face at eye level.
Looks like David not only gave Arek the recognition he deserved, but also a steady footing for a bright future. If you’re also touched by Arek’s patriotism and courage, be sure to SHARE his story with your friends!
