As Little Boy Loses Sight, He Asks to See USC Football as Final Wish
Categories: In The News, Amazing Kids, Sports
Email ThisIf you feel like a good cry today, watch this video.
It's the heartwarming story of 12-year-old Jake Olson as he prepares for a surgery that will blind him permanently. His left eye had been removed years earlier, which was inflicted by retinoblastoma. With surgery looming on his right eye, he told his parents the last thing he wanted to see was a University of Southern California Trojan football game, according to a story on ESPN.
Word spread to the ears of USC head coach, Pete Carroll, who brought Jake in for a practice and meeting with the players. Jake's involvement with the team grew to an inseparable bond -- his favorite player, center Kris O'Dowd, was at the hospital the day of the surgery -- and the two look to each other as inspiration to succeed.
Since the surgery, Jake remains optimistic and says of his new football watching time: "It's kind of more fun to actually hear the hits than to actually see the hits."
Inspirational indeed.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)
Brandon Jaeger 12-04-2009 @ 1:47AM
To Mr. Pete Carrol and the men of the USC football team, first of all I would like to say thank you; and this is coming from a Wisconsin Badger fanatic and huge big ten fan. You are a true motivation to all of humanity and an example of what role models are and should be! "Uncle" Chris, the heart makes a man. You made a young mans dream come true, for that we thank you; as well as you Mr. Carroll. I don't know who could ever benefit more from this story; not Jake, maybe USC, but the United States as a whole. For the love, character and devotion that these individuals have shown and have exlemplified (sp). This is what we should all aspire to be. To the Olsen family; Thank you for sharing your story. Don't ever underestimate the resilience of a child. And to Jake; Thank you for the inspiration you have given to me and my family and friends. If you ever make it to Wisconsin, hit me up. We willl JUMP AROUND!!!
Reply
LeGrande 12-04-2009 @ 8:37PM
Jake
I hope this message may reach you. Your life and courage and wisdom are truly inspirational. Please keep dreaming and going for it as you advance in years and as you already have figured out, continue to enjoy your unique soul and life and loved ones every day right there with you every step of the way. Not sure if you are a spiritual person, but a book titled Travelling Light by Max Lucado proved transformative for my Dad as he lost a 25 year battle with Cancer and also for my Mom and myself, his main caretakers in his last year of life. On the bright side you are still with us and may live to experience so many of the God given joys that abound for a young man with such an astute perspective on life.
Good Luck trooper,
LeGrande
kathy 12-04-2009 @ 8:37PM
Great Story, Jake you are an incredible young man, many years of a happy and healthy life. USC you rock.....
masers18709 12-04-2009 @ 9:10PM
VERY WELL SAID...GOD BLESS
Kevin 12-04-2009 @ 9:39PM
I totally agree, Brandon couldn't have said it better myself. Thank You for such profound words, tis is what this country needs more of...
Diane 12-04-2009 @ 10:17PM
Jake-- My thoughts and prayers are with you!!! You have an unbelievable gift, strength, and attitude that not that many people in this World obtain. I do not know you, but I respect and admire.
I want you to know that after viewing you, and seeing what type of person you are and knowing what type of sucessful man you will be you have touched my life, and my views.
Never change, keep it up, God Bless!!!!!!
Diane
brittany 12-05-2009 @ 12:53PM
Jake you are the most bravest courageous person i have ever seen! this really touched me and you are like my hero now! live your life and stay strong. a lot of people will look up to you. i hope you get this message. you will always be in my heart and thoughts and prayers.
Mark 12-04-2009 @ 10:18PM
boy...a crusty old jaded thing like me....brought a tear to my eye
Gary 12-04-2009 @ 10:20PM
Wow.....truly an amazing story. The last surgery and resulting blindness marked the end of only one chapter in Jake's life. Jake takes the "glass is half full" approach and realizes that he was blessed in the fact that he had 12 years of sight. The pictures he has stored in his mind will last a lifetime and help carry him forward.
We live in tough times, both economically and socially, and to see this kid fight through cancer EIGHT times really helps put things into perspective. I sincerely hope that people in crisis can draw strength from this fine young man and see that their problems pale in comparison to what Jake has faced his entire life.
I have a feeling that this kid is going to make one hell of an impact on this world and his deeds will live on long after we are gone. How proud his parents must be.....
"Jake Jake Jake Jake Jake!!"
Jeanne 12-04-2009 @ 10:58PM
Seems like a good kid. I'm sure his parents are proud of him, but I'd trade my daughter's sight or my own any day if she could only have won her battle with meningitis. There is lots worse than being blind or your kid losing his or her sight. Still, I wish him the best. Looks like he and his family already have it. He is surviving.
steve sr 12-04-2009 @ 11:15PM
i AGREE WHAT A INSPERATION!
michele 12-04-2009 @ 11:17PM
Great comment and God bless you little boy you are one of the few angels left on earth.. you will be blessed that I promise you
Hector Schmidt 12-04-2009 @ 11:48PM
As a die hard UCLA Bruin fan let me just say GO TROJANS! Enough said!
choepfer 12-04-2009 @ 11:39PM
Brandon, well-spoken thoughts. I "ditto" your sentiments. May God continue to bless Jake and the hearts of the USC players and coaches. May all people be inspired by this story and encourage one another.
John Coleman 12-05-2009 @ 2:30PM
Wow, Brandon Jaeger, well said...really.
Messa 12-05-2009 @ 12:01AM
What a brave and wonderful young man....and, the coach is an idiot....."Promise you'll come back and see us after your surgery"??....Hello, he's going to have his eye taken out, he's not going to see anything ever again and you ask him to come see you? What a moron.
iamdonmega 12-05-2009 @ 1:05AM
Well said......
jonilikesit09 12-05-2009 @ 2:36AM
Brandon, you said it better than i ever would be able too. Thanks for your kind and wonderful words.
bonnie 12-05-2009 @ 4:00AM
Sweet Child,
I am near 72 &my son & I feel "RATHER GUILTY TONIGHT"""that we, my son & I have been on our own little ""PITY PARTY"" because I couldn't get a VIDO that my son was really wanted. After seeing & hearing you, it surely left us ??Well, not very proud of ourselves.
Yes, it was of great meaning to me,(more so of course for him) so, I could surprise him).
He became a Teacher for skating at 21 & disabled at around 26 & now near 50, & lost the ability to ever skate again,,,BUT!!! BRANDON, you have been a ""LIGHT & SHINNING ARMOR to the world & your family, & VERY MUCH TO US TONIGHT.
After seeing this vidio, I feel very blessed,because Ray can walk, talk, hear & see!!
So, thanks to your unreal story, we truely feel, so, very blessed.
My son, Ray, was a champion Roller Skater & on the Mike Douglas(you're too young to recall that show).. He was 18 & he & girl partner were chossen by Peachs & Herb, a disco music group to do a skating disco to their new song. He so very much loved his skating,, sort of like your love your football, as he also does also & basketball,.
I was just thinking,, guess you two have a special event in comman. You were both on National TV doing what you like the best.
So, I say, I am sorry for being on my own pity party.You have been a very special INSPERATION to us & the WORLD.
I pray that you stay as ""PROUD & TALL"" as you are today. You, Family & friends must have had many prayers for you, to make you so proud of being who you are,,& I promise to tuck you in my PRAYER BONNET also. From Bonnie & Ray
Moby 12-05-2009 @ 4:08AM
Brandon, you said what i couldn't and more! Truly a moving tribute to the human spirit and where it can lead . I have no worries that Jake will excel. Good luck Jake!