Doctors said special needs cat would never walk, but he was determined to prove them wrong
The Rocky movie series is consistently described as inspirational. Each film depicts how the perennial underdog – Rocky Balboa – is able to overcome many hurdles. He does not always win but he still succeeds in becoming a better version of himself.
However, no matter how encouraged we are of fictional triumphs, nothing beats the motivation real-life fighters bring.
Meet a real-life Rocky who happens to be an adorable cat
View this post on Instagram
This is Rocky. Just like his fictional namesake, this feline has grit. He is robust and enjoys the adoration of over 100 thousand followers on Instagram.
He was almost dying as a baby
When his dad found him, Rocky was a little kitty who could barely open his eyes. As a baby, his humans noticed that he had sporadic breathing problems. He was very small and frail. His parents had to take extra care of him to make sure he lived.
He could not walk
When he started to move on his own, his mom noticed something strange. He did not have agility and balance. Instead, he flipped and crawled around their home like a seal.
His mom decided to bring Rocky to a neurologist. There, they discovered that our hero felt nothing in his back legs and in his tail. He is unable to walk with four paws.
Rocky did not back down
In spite of the diagnosis, Rocky was undeterred. He kept kicking and crawling around as if his nerves were not damaged. He simply enjoyed moving about.
His mom was encouraged by his determination. She believed that he can regenerate his nerves as long as he continued to use his muscles So, she bought him a cat wheelchair!
He owned it
Rocky totally enjoyed his mom’s gift. With it, he practiced how to walk with four legs. He moved so fast, even his mom could not catch up!
He also practiced walking on his own
Though his wheelchair was cool, Rocky’s mom still encouraged him to walk without it. Rocky’s response to this was amazing. He simply accepted the challenge and did what was asked of him.
Today, he remains joyful and positive
As of now, Rocky still needs his wheelchair. His legs have gotten stronger though. In his more recent videos, he appears very willowy and quick.
His story continues to inspire
Rocky’s inability to walk does not stop him. He lives life as any other cat would. He is playful and enjoys the love his family gives him. He knows that sulking would not do him any good!
His mom continues to share their journey with many people through Instagram. Because of Rocky, she feels invigorated. She once shared:
“Thank you not only for loving Rocky as if he was your own but also supporting us in every way especially emotionally !!! I didn’t have the best childhood so I couldn’t wait to have kids and a family of my own… I luckily found my happily ever after early and had my son at 19 and daughter at 21, so I didn’t have an adult life without kids, kids are all I know and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me … now that they are 21 and almost 19, I find myself wondering what’s next ?? Rocky has helped because he’s like having a baby.”
Since finding Rocky, she has become very vocal that special needs cats should not be euthanized.
This pair definitely know how to turn lemons into lemonades.
Please SHARE Rocky’s incredible journey with your friends and family.