Don’t wait for bail out.
Welcome back!
Andrew Luk, is a 16 year old junior varsity swimmer at Diamond Bar High School in California. Swimming 20 laps in a race is hard enough, but what makes it even harder for Andrew; is that Andrew have to swim in darkest, Andrew Luk is blind.
When Andrew was 5, he lost his vision because a tumor damaged his optic nerves causing him to be blind and partially deaf. Andrew had swim for fun, but then in 2007 he made the decision to swim for a purpose. Andrew said: “It was a need to be part of something and get out and do something I enjoyed because for a long time I’ve been sitting around and talking about what my future could hold but never got up and did anything,”
With the support of everyone around him, Andrew enrolled in his first competitive swimming program at Mt. San Antonio College run by Jodi Lepp. Jodi said: “I thought it was awesome that he had no fears of jumping in and was willing to get his feet wet.” She taught Andrew the fundamentals of swimming in competition. Jodi said: “The thing I love about Andrew is that there are other kids who will complain, ‘My toe hurts, my leg hurts.’ And Andrew would say: ‘What’s next?’ He motivates me.”
Then in 2008 Andrew joined Diamond Bar’s swim team. The team coach Michael Spence welcomed him with open arms. Coach Spence immediately assigned one of his varsity swimmers, senior Lynn Han, to serve as Andrew mentor and personal coach.
Before each race, Lynn takes Andrew by his arm and guides him to the pool rail, where he gingerly drops into the water for competition. Lynn is one of two tappers who hold a 75-inch long white pole with a tennis ball fastened at the end to touch Luk as he nears each wall. It’s to protect Andrew in case he loses count of his strokes. Lynn said: “He’s competitive, he’s passionate. His attitude is determination.”
Andrew’s first race time in the 500 free was 9 minutes 55.14 seconds. Two days later, he was 23.31 seconds faster, then 1 minute 22.17 seconds faster. Andrew keeps working on improving.
Andrew said: “More important to winning — and I want to win badly — is just learning to work as a team, learning to be dedicated to a sport, learning to be disciplined.” Most time when Andrew competes, the opposing team would go up to him after to congratulate him. And tell Andrew that he has inspired them.
Andrew is an excellent student. He plays the piano and listens to countless radio programs. He said he might want to become a journalist because he likes to write and recently won a trip to Spain for one of his essays.
There’s always the hope that a medical breakthrough could restore his vision, but Andrew said, “That’s something that leaves you on the edge of your seat, but you don’t live your life hoping it’s going to bail you out.”
Don’t wait for the bail out, take action to do everything you can today.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action.
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Hi Gio .. Brilliant story .. “what can I do next?” .. and having a mentor and coach .. spurred him on - though he certainly didn’t seem to need the motivation .. he was on the road and ready to go ..
He’s obviously a great achiever and is well rounded - prepared to try everything and anything .. tactile through his music, and a great listener .. let alone writer .. fantastic and really inspiring.
What’s so nice is that the other teams come up and congratulate him on his success and participation.
It’s a great story .. thank you
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Wow, this is another great story. I love the stories you post on here. Thank you!
Thank you Giovanna!
Hi Giovanna! I’m a bit guilty of this lately. Things have gotten rough and I really wanted someone to bail me out. In the end though, it is our inner strength and hope that will carry us through. Thanks for the reminder! Just added you to my blogroll..
Hi Giovanna! I’m a bit guilty of this lately. Things have gotten rough and I really wanted someone to bail me out. In the end though, it is our inner strength and hope that will carry us through. Thanks for the reminder! Just added you to my blogroll..
Sorry… forgot to say great post - can’t wait to read your next one!
Wow, you always come up with excellent heart warming stories to lift our spirits up Gio. That’s what I like about your blog. Thanks for posting this.
Very motivational! Yes, we can’t wait for the bailout, we must be willing to take action.
Hi Hilary
Andrew is an amazing young man and his story needs to told over and over again. I wish for everyone’s to have a bit of Andrew in side them. He has the heart of a Champion.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Positively Present
I am glad you enjoy Andrew Luk’s story. I enjoy doing this one a lot, such a grounded young man.
Thanks for your comment and joining in the conversations.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Christy
Thank you for reading Andrew’s story, go on and share it with as many people as you can. The world needs stories like Andrew’s.
Thank you.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Jocelyn
I am glad you read this blog post, it sounds like it came to you at the right time
You are right about, “In the end it is our inner strenght and hope that will take us through.”
Thank you for your comment and sharing your wisdom.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Sunny
Thank you for your kind words. You inspire me to keep doing my work. I am bless to be doing what I do.
Thank you for your comment and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Mark
The only person who can bail you out is you.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Andrew is a great role model. Just proves that nothing can stand in your way if you really want to achieve it. Thanks for sharing this.
I always enjoy your stories and examples.
I’m a fan of leading yourself first and taking action. You can drive or be driven.
Hi Gennaro,
You are absolutely right!!! Anything is possible if you want it bad enough.
Thank you for you comment and for sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi J.D.
Well, you know I definately belive that imperfect action is better than no action.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and for joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action