MORE THAN A RACE: U-D track star who lost leg in crash competes for final time
DETROIT (WJBK) - High school student Sean English lost one of his legs below the knee and suffered several broken bones.
The life-changing moment happened on a Detroit freeway, when Sean and others were helping the victims of a car crash, when another car slammed into them.
For the first time since the crash, Sean returned to the track to compete for his school for the final time Wednesday.
He had one wish - to get back on this track and from what we know of Sean, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised he was there.
Sean English came back to run his first and last race since the accident that cost him his leg. Always an inspiration, the University of Detroit Jesuit senior walked the track with FOX 2 before the competition.
"I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to run in this race and to do what I've always wanted to do," he said. "Which is end my high school career on this track at U of D."
It is an opportunity that seems more like a miracle.
"I never thought in a million years that I'd be able to run today," he said.
Just one year ago the track star lost his leg after he stopped on the side of the highway to help the victims of an accident. Another driver lost control and struck Sean as well as another good Samaritan who stopped to help - killing Dr. Cynthia Ray - the woman he raced for on this day.
"My dream was to run, her dream was to save others," Sean said. "If she can't execute her dream I'm sure as hell going to execute mine through her name."
Sean at a news conference with his parents by his side, wore his dad's U of D track jersey from years ago.
"From a feeling as a coach and a father, (I'm) very proud of him, very proud of him," said Sean English, Sr.
"There's no stopping him," his mother Peggy English said. "If he puts his mind to it - it's going to happen."
Back on the track that determination was in full view.
"Now it's all in my hands which is the first time I get to say that," Sean said. "Normally it's in doctors' hands, my (physical therapist's) hands
but this one, it's up to me.
Sean said he is so grateful to his family, his friends and his school for all of the love and support over the past year. His faith, seemingly is stronger than ever.
"Physically it's hard but I remember that people are looking up to me so I just keep pushing," he said. "Psychologically it's hard, emotionally it's hard, everything is hard. But I can just always remember that people are praying for me and I’m blessed to even be in this position."
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His message, his actions are an inspiration to so many.
"Hey, stuff happens but you can always bounce back and do what you still want to do," English said. "Don't let any physical limitations stop you from doing what you love."
It certainly hasn't stopped Sean who ran in the 400 on this day. This lap around the track was so much more than a race.