# The father who carried his son through the race

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-ironman-father-carries-autistic-son
- Themes: disability, family, love, inclusion
- Life situations: parenting a child with autism, caring for a disabled family member

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

From a video someone sent him: an American father always takes his autistic son with him on Ironman-type runs — 30 km through rain and up mountains, the son on his back — and the joy on the son's face at the finish is inspiring.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

there was this one American guy. He had a son who was autistic, and this man would go on these - the Iron Man runs and stuff – he’d always take his son with him. He was running like 30 kilometres through the rain or up mountains and stuff; his son would be on his back. He'd carry him everywhere. And you could see the look on the son's face. Just the joy of when he finished the race, it was inspiring! That son was just so close to his dad. His dad was doing things and you could see just the joy on that son's face. He was autistic. Brilliant.

## Teaching point

Supporting someone who is different is about 'us', the whole family, not one person.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

In a video Ajahn Brahm remembers, a father takes his son with him on punishing endurance races, and the boy's joy at the finish is unforgettable. The details may be hazy; the spirit isn't. Supporting someone who is different is about everyone together, the whole family, widening what we can embrace.

## Source

- [Give Yourself Peace, Kindness and Forgiveness | Ajahn Brahm | 29 January 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PPWbmzp6M) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 55:49 to 56:43: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PPWbmzp6M&t=3349s