Man with cerebral palsy earns stripe in martial arts, melts hearts online

A video of a differently-abled man Alex Mercado has been doing rounds on the internet, melting the hearts of viewers.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition impacting movement and the ability to maintain balance and posture, Mercado has always kept his fighting spirits up to move forward in life.

Now, he has won hearts online by defying all odds and earning a stripe on his belt in Brazilian martial arts Jiu-jitsu.

The video shows his trainer Matthew Sangiorge, giving him the belt and Mercado getting overwhelmed with joy.

Sangiorge, is seen lauding Mercado in front of his karate students. He says, “Me and Mr Alex we do lessons every Friday. Buddy, I am super duper proud of you, okay?”

Mercado, who is seen smiling gleefully, says he did not cry. The trainer adds, “I know you didn’t cry…I am so proud of you buddy, all the hard work you do, you deserve it.”

While students gathered around to applaud him, Mercado is seen excited with joy and the trainer gives him a warm hug.

Sangiorge shared the clip on Instagram and wrote, “This is why we do what we do.”

A user commented, “Incredible Matt! Thank you for teaching Alex and loving him so much! You both make an incredible team! We appreciate you more than you know! Much love to you.” Another user wrote, “Seeing his joy was beautiful!” A third user wrote, “This is awesome, man!”

“Alex really shows you that you have no excuse. If Alex can come in here with a smile on his face every day, bust his butt harder than any other student, you really don’t have an excuse. It makes your problems not that bad,” he was quoted as saying by WTOC.

“I’m telling you this man right here has changed my life. I’m saying how can you have a bad day when he comes in. I’m telling you I’m very appreciative. Friends forever,” Sangiorge said.