Lindsay And The Beast: A Little Girl With A Rare Disease And A 330-Pound Powerlifter Share A Special Bond
April 7, 2016
David Douglas is a six feet tall, 330-pound powerlifter with a heart stronger than his muscles.
David The Beast Douglas
David, whose nickname is "The Beast," first met Lindsay Ratcliffe at Relentless, a powerlifting event sponsored by HopeKids to benefit children with rare diseases. Lindsay is 12 years old and suffers from progeria: a rare genetic disorder that causes children to appear to age rapidly. She was diagnosed at age four.
David The Beast Douglas
David says meeting her changed his life.
"Everytime I look at this picture of me and little Lindsay meeting for the first time at Relentless years ago, a rush of emotions come back," he wrote about the photo above. "This little girl changed my life in so many ways. Today is her birthday and I want to wish the biggest, most deserving birthday to this inspiring, beautiful little girl."
David The Beast Douglas
"Lindsay became my lil sis since day one. I knew she meant something to me, but after everything that has happened, there is no words to describe how I feel about her. She has pulled me out of rough spots just by thinking of her. That is a priceless gift. That is why I made it my duty to help her out in any way that I can."
Recently, a photo of the two holding hands went viral on Facebook.
David The Beast Douglas
"People looked at me as strong when everything about her was stronger," he wrote about the picture above. "Instead of putting those words off to the side, i decided to put it right on me to make the point even louder. You have to look at the big picture of it. Let it soak in instead of nitpicking it. Positive > Negative. Her heart, personality, and smile pours from her and touches everyone around her."
In 2014, David flew across the country to surpise Lindsay for a charity walk. Watch the heartwarming video below:
"I will forever remember that moment and that feeling seeing her run to me and smile."
To help Lindsay and her family, you can donate to their fundraising page here.
(h/t) Aplus. For more from David, visit him on Facebook and Instagram.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
WOW! Seal Begs Boaters For Help As Orcas Hunt Him
Mom Shares 4th Grader's Spelling Test Answers, #13 Has Everyone Laughing
This Letter From C. S. Lewis To His Goddaughter, For Whom He Wrote 'The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe'
These Twin Cats Do Everything Together — And We Can’t Get Enough
Cat Goes Viral For Playing Cards Against Humanity — And She’s Serving Pure Chaos
Toddler ‘Arrested’ After Taking One Bite Out Of Every Fruit
Man Spends 6 Months Teaching An Octopus To Play Piano
Drone Stumbles Upon Polar Bears Living Their Best Life In Abandoned Soviet Research Station
Mom Catches Dad–Daughter Moment On Baby Monitor And Starts Sobbing
Toddler’s Wholesome Reaction To Dad Being 'Left Out' Goes Viral
Dog Won’t Stop Checking The Same Spot Outside, And The Reason Has Every Pet Owner Laughing
