¦ November 28, 2011
GETTIN' IT DONE: COREY C, MASTER OF EMPATHY

Indycar driver Davey Hamilton at the track with Corey C.

Many of the people featured in our column, “Gettin’ It Done”, are newsmakers whose accomplishments are covered in print or online. Despite their physical challenges they travel the world, climb mountains, or succeed in business or extreme sports. Today we’d like to acknowledge that there are people all around us, like our friend Corey C., who are “Gettin’ It Done” in their own way every single day of their lives.

Corey is a young man who has had to deal with his particular disability since the first day of life. He has had all that time to learn how to accept each new challenge with grace. He listens to the advice of medical professionals, family and friends, thinks it over, then makes his own decisions.

The mountain that Corey ascends is the front steps of his home, and the marathon he endures is a trip to the mall. During his young life Corey has undergone several painful surgeries with long, agonizing recovery periods. He faces them realistically, but with bravery, optimism and hope.

One of Corey’s coping strategies is to think outside himself. His sense of empathy is legendary. When Corey asks, “how are you?” he honestly wants to know the answer.

As a race fan and friend of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, Corey was excited to attend our Day at the Races program. We enjoyed his company there as much as he enjoyed the opportunity. The racing family encompassed Corey and his love for life. He once brought Helio Castroneves to tears with a gift he brought to the track for Helio’s new baby.

Corey is truly a V.I.P. whose Very Important Purpose on this earth is to remind us all, by example, to do our best every day. We wish him Godspeed wherever the next adventure takes him. He will always remain our Facebook friend and fellow race fan, Corey C.