Matthew Ballard has the Scripture, James 1:2-3, written on his track shoes. It reminds him to persevere with joy in the midst of trials. Matthew is passionate about running. He says he loves the feeling of working as hard as he can and then crossing the finish line.
Matthew Ballard, who runs track despite having cystic fibrosis, pauses for a photo with his dad, Paul, at a recent high school track meet.Matthew runs another type of race – off the track – every day. He has cystic fibrosis, a suffocating disease that causes the lungs to fill with thick mucus. Every day, he takes breathing treatments, swallows 35-40 pills and has to wear an electronic vest that shakes and loosens any congestion in his chest. He also lives – and breathes – the sport of running track.
“God has given me cystic fibrosis, and I can either let it break me or I can do what I love, which is to run and push through all the adversity of this disease. I know God has a plan and is going to bring good out of it,” Matthew said.
A junior at Ben Lippen High School in Columbia, Matthew has been running track since seventh grade. He has lettered in varsity track and cross country. He trains by running several miles every day and lifts weights with his father.
“Matt is one of my heroes. I admire his passionate determination. He really is an engaging young man with a great sense of joy, and a great laugh,” said Paul Ballard, Matthew’s father and the pastor of North Trenholm Baptist Church in Columbia.
The words “cystic fibrosis” have been in the Ballard family vocabulary since Matthew was 7 weeks old. Over the years, Matthew has struggled with repeated infections and breathing difficulties, been hospitalized and received intravenous treatments at home. Within the last year, he began seeing a new doctor in Chapel Hill, N.C., who specializes in treating cystic fibrosis patients. Despite a medical roller coaster, his outlook remains positive and optimistic for the future.
“God has taught me to never give up. He has a plan for me,” Matthew said.
Paul Ballard said he and his wife Libbie are totally dependent on God as a result of all that their family has endured. “Looking back, God was there even when we didn’t feel him. We are seeing God glorified through Matt’s life. Matt sees that God is using this and giving him a testimony to encourage other people,” Ballard said.
Matthew will attend college after graduation and plans to continue running track. “During my freshman year, I quit running with only a few weeks left in the season because of some health problems I was having. I wish I hadn’t, I’ll never give up again. I will always keep trying,” he said.
“Matthew has a lot of hope; it is like oxygen – we need it to live. Hope has enabled him to be who he is and to excel. We are so proud of him,” Ballard said.