A young Canandaigua boy demonstrated his miraculous recovery from a traumatic head injury by running in the Better Life 5K on April 17.
Bradley Owens, age eight, was visiting family in Duchess County in June 2009 when a television fell on top of him. Initially, Bradley was unresponsive and unable to communicate or move. However, during his stay in the hospital, Bradley impressed his parents with his determination and perseverance. When he had trouble using the right side of his body, he taught himself to write left-handed instead of asking for help.
“I thought that was pretty amazing,” says Bradley’s father, Tim Owens. “He never quits. He always works really hard.”
After weeks of rehabilitation and an extraordinary recovery, Bradley returned home in September 2009. Less than two years after his accident, he decided to run the Better Life 5K along with his older brother, Ethan, his mother, Kristina, and his father. He was the youngest runner in the event and completed the run in 42 minutes and 26 seconds.
“He enjoyed himself, had a lot of fun and was proud that he accomplished his 5K,” says Tim. “It was something that he wanted to do and he did it on his own. He's a tough little eight-year-old. We’re impressed by his devotion and perseverance.”