Born without legs in 1997 in Ohio, Zion Clark was given up for adoption at birth and lived in 7 or 8 foster homes before he found a guardian angel who wanted to be his mom. He took up wrestling because he didn’t want to feel weak. Now a formidable wrestler, he also holds the Guinness World Record for walking on his hands, clocking a time of 4.78 seconds for 20 meters.
This determined 24-year-old was born with a rare disorder, caudal regression syndrome, that impairs the development of the lower spine. In Zion’s case, he was born missing both of his legs. One in every 100,000 children are born with the congenital condition each year. At the age of 17 he was adopted by Kimberlli Clark Hawkins, a woman who was already fostering other children as well. Zion has finally found a support system in his mom and coach, Gilbert Donahue. And clearly, this is a feel-good story not only about Zion’s triumph over adversity, but about the selflessness of good people like them.
Zion is passionate about sharing his story and inspiring others to believe that there are no obstacles in life. “I don’t think there’s ever been time where I’ve helped somebody and I felt horrible doing it, you know what I mean. I feel great every time I get to help somebody that needs help,” he said. A documentary about Zion was released on Netflix on August 10, 2018.
