Brothers complete 111-mile walk for cerebral palsy awareness

LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) - Two young Michigan brothers embarked yet again on a brave journey to spread awareness about a neurological disorder. They're on a mission to show the world people are not defined by their disabilities.

Hunter and Braden's campaign, called Cerebral Palsy Swagger, wrapped up Monday night in front of a big crowd of supporters.

The brothers have walked to raise awareness before, but this one had a little something special at the end -- Braden, who has cerebral palsy, crossed the finish line for the first time on his own.

Big brother Hunter carried him more than 100 miles on his back to raise awareness for cerebral palsy. It's their third and final walk.

It was an ambitious encore to last year's walk for charity, which made national headlines and caught the attention of Sports Illustrated. Hunter was named the High School Athlete of the Year.

"I'm really just thinking about all the amazing support, all the support from the community," he says. "All the support from the people who just showed up and walked with us or they would stand outside their door and hold signs and cheer us on as we passed."

"I'm so excited to have seen what just happened here; to see all the support we've gotten, to see Braden walk that last half mile - it's just amazing," says sister Kerragan.

She and their other little brother, Kellen, also took part in the six-day trek that kicked off in Monroe County.

Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who's been an advocate for children with special needs, was among the supporters celebrating their amazing feat.

"The symbolism at the end there where, he had carried his brother so far and now he's walking, this last end he walked on his own," Calley says. "It's an inspiration, a reminder to everybody not to just see somebody and see disability, but to see potential and ability."

Farm Bureau Insurance also presented a big check to the Gandee family and their cause.

Mother Danielle Gandee says the family has been overwhelmed by the huge outpouring of support.

"Thankful, blessed, beyond belief," she says. "I can't even really put it into words. We're blessed to be in a community, in a state where support is just amazing like this. I mean, people opened their homes; anything we needed along the way fell into place."

After all their hard work, they say Braden's wish was to celebrate with some ice cream, and then it's time to get ready to go back to school.

They don't have any more walks planned at this time, but they say they will continue spreading their message of inclusion and helping people with disabilities.