Cloncurry resident Tristin Condon completed his 10,000 push-ups challenge, despite sustaining a significant injury on day eight.
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Mr Condon said he sprained his rib cartridge trying to get off the floor, after he’d completed his push ups for the day.
“It was frustrating and challenging for me, I had to remember that if I was advising anyone on this challenge, I would of said, it’s not so much about how many you do, but rather it’s about spreading a positive message.”
The challenge is part of a fundraising initiative from Variety, the Children's Charity, which reinforces the need to be positive and the need to help children who have cerebral palsy.
Mr Condon had five weeks off due to the injury.
“I actually shed a few tears after I injured myself because I was so focused on trying to achieve the goal,” he said.
After giving himself time to recover, Mr Condon found a very positive outcome.
“I wanted to achieve something that defies labels, something an able bodied person could achieve because if you say something like, ‘that’s a lot of push ups for a disabled person’, that limits their potential,” Mr Condon said.
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Mr Condon was born with cerebral palsy.
“I am an individual who was told that I would never walk, talk or live into my teen years,” Mr Condon said.
“My parents never imposed limitations on me, instead they empowered me with positive affirmations, so that proves a positive mindset can affect your outlook and bring on benefits.”
“For me it’s a daily battle against my body, but I know if I can push it beyond the boundaries, it gets to a sweet spot where it’s working at its best.”
Their were multiple motivations for the athlete during the challenge, besides recovering from his injury, he received some bad news about his prognosis for the future and has to travel to Townsville and Brisbane in February.
He intends to continue executing push ups during his “medical holiday”.
“I’ve called it the ‘Bonus Push Ups’,” he said.
“At several locations, my wife will video me. I think it’ll be less boring than seeing me in my house everyday. The scenic view will hopefully draw in more fundraising dollars.
Mr Condon didn’t reach his fundraising goal of $10,000, but will try his best to do so.
“I’ll also be calling on people to do some sets with me as well,” he said.
Recently State Member Robbie Katter obliged, and so did the staff at the Cloncurry Pharmacy, Hamish Griffin from Discovery Parks and the manger from Woolworths at Cloncurry.
Mr Condon said he would like to thank his wife for all her support and help and the community for pitching in and to all the donors who have stepped up to help make a difference in a young persons life.
Show your support by donating to Mr Condon’s Team Variety fundraising page.
