W. Jordan youth goes the extra mile for lifelong pal who has cerebral palsy

WEST JORDAN — Mack Bawden wants his best friend, Cameron Judd, to experience everything he does — dances, dates and even the pain of getting up early to train for the Copper Hills cross-country team.

The problem is that Judd couldn't do any of those things without help.

The 17-year-old West Jordan boy has cerebral palsy and, were it not for the help of his friends, he'd likely be stuck on the sidelines.

But sometimes, the kindness of a single person changes everything.

When Cameron was just 4 years old, Mack, who happened to be the same age, moved into his neighborhood.

"Mack was very curious about Cameron," said his mom, Peggy Bawden. "It's just how kids are. He said, 'Does anybody play with him?' And I said, 'I don't know, but we can ask.' "

So Peggy Bawden approached Cameron's mom, Denise Judd, and set up their first play date. It wasn't until first grade that the two became inseparable.

"Mack has always just really been there for Cam," said Denise Judd. "He's always included him as much as he can. (Mack) has just become a member of our family."

The senior class president at Copper Hills, Mack has participated in cross-country and track since his freshman year. Last winter, he heard about Dick and Rick Hoyt (www.teamhoyt.com). Dick Hoyt pushes, pulls and carries his son, Rick, who has cerebral palsy, in marathons and Ironman races.

"It was us," Mack said. "I said to Cam, 'We're going to do this.' And he said OK."

So the two boys talked to their coach, Garth Rushforth, who gave them the green light. The Judds ordered a special chair for Cameron that looks something like a jogging stroller.

Their first meet was a memorable one.

Mack was rounding the final turn of the track when he decided to push down on the brand-new, three-wheel chair that cradled Judd.

His weight on the back two wheels popped the front tire into the air and slammed the handle to the track. Mack went head-first over the chair.

Scraped and bleeding, he checked on Cameron, who was fine, and then pulled the slightly damaged chair upright.

"Then the front wheel fell off," said Denise Judd. "Mack unfastened Cameron, picked him up and carried him across the finish line. Everyone stood up and was cheering."

When asked about it, Mack just smiles and shrugs.