Brooklyn woman battles paralysis, walks final stage of Disney Princess Half Marathon
It wasn’t that long ago that Cheri Srour wasn’t able to walk or talk.
The Brooklyn woman was 18 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune neurological disorder in 2007. “I was a healthy teenager,” she said.
In a matter two weeks she was left paralyzed. It took doctors a while to figure out what was going on. But when they did she needed re-learn how to do the basics.
“I had to learn how to talk again. I had t learn had to walk again, I had to learn how to swallow and chew food. Basically start my whole life over again,” she said.
On Sunday, she conquered a major accomplishment. She rose from her wheelchair and walked the final stage of the 2019 Disney Princess Half Marathon at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Pushed in her wheelchair by her brother-in-law, Solly Elmann, Srour stopped about 100 yards from the finish line of the 13.1-mile race and rose from her wheelchair and finished the walk unassisted.
“I have this motto,” Srour said, “where I say, ‘I may not be able to do the things you do but, what I can do will surprise you.’ “
This is the third time Srour and Elmann have teamed up for the race. In 2016, aided by her Elmann pushing the wheelchair, the two completed the Disney Princess Half Marathon.
Last year, Srour was able to swap places with her brother-in-law and push him across the finish line.
“This was the most inspiring act I’ve ever seen in my life,” Elmann said after the race. ” And, I just can’t wait to see what she’s going to do in the future. The sky’s the limit.”
