Born with Dwarfism, Kevin Cekanor inspires on high school soccer team
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Kevin Cekanor is a big part of the three-time defending state champion Marquette University High School soccer team.
The junior-to-be was born with Dwarfism 16 years ago.
"I think ever since I was young, I was taught to go with the flow and deal with it. I think at an early age it was just tough for me to realize like 'okay, I'm different,' but after that, I started to learn to embrace it, and now in high school, just being able to prove myself on the field, if I get a stare or two off the field, I'm like 'okay, just wait!'" Cekanor said.
What Cekanor has at a tender age is an incredible perspective on life -- and a desire to be a positive example.
"I get to be a role model to kids who are doubters or kids who also have Dwarfism and just tell them that it's okay. Just be yourself, and everything will be okay," Cekanor said.
As Cekanor changes his life, he is learning that he can use his challenge to impact other lives.
"I'm starting to understand what I'm doing now -- what the impact is going to be on people when they see me. It's a great feeling. I'm glad I'm knowing my purpose. So many times you really don't know what you're doing, but I truly feel that I know what I'm supposed to be here for," Cekanor said.
"It makes me very proud, and it makes me cry a lot of the time. When I see things and I hear stories, I'm very happy and I'm very proud for him. He is like every other kid, but there is something very special about him," Cekanor's mother, JoAnn Cekanor said.
"He brought us to a closer relationship with our God. It's also given us an opportunity to see probably a side of life that we may not have ever been exposed to, and work with people that maybe on the outside have physical differences, but it exposes us to folks and an organization -- through the Dwarfism Athletic Association and Little People of America -- friends that we probably wouldn't have had an opportunity to get to know and really get to experience all the wonderful things that they bring to life," Cekanor's father, Mike Cekanor said.
"He earns your respect right away, and you can tell he loves the game of soccer. That's what makes it so special. For him to want to still be a part of things. He met with me last year and said 'Coach, can I try out?' 'Yeah! Go ahead and try out,' and he was there doing the runs with all the kids, and it not only inspires me, but he inspires a lot of the guys that play," Marquette University High School Soccer Coach Steve Lawrence said.
"Just to see him work through it and fight through it -- he doesn't quit. He doesn't stop. Sometimes I say 'aww this is really hard,' and I just think 'well, just power through it like he does,'" Marquette University High School soccer player Mitchell Sauer said.
Power through is what Cekanor has been doing since Day One. He might be a small person, but Cekanor is a young man with immense stature.
"Live your life to the fullest. Live with what God gave you. Just embrace yourself. Don't think about what other people think about you. It's not going to matter in the end. Believe in yourself, and good things will happen," Cekanor said.
For additional information and resources:
Dwarf Athletic Association of America
2013 World Dwarf Games