Wednesday, May 30, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- For Tye Baldwin, it's bowling that's been giving him a physical and mental challenge.

Last fall when the Greenwood High School senior went to the doctor for knee pain, he never would have guessed he'd be battling a life-threatening challenge and battling osteosarcoma -- bone cancer.

He underwent surgery in January that saved his right leg.

"Still saw myself as a normal kid, 18 years old, everybody's got some problems when they are 18. More kids worrying about college, where you going, getting their grades where they need to be. I had another thing on my mind," he said.

For the past year, Tye and his father, Randy Baldwin, have been making the hour and a half trip from Greenwood to the Children's Medical Center.

That trip leaves a lot of time to think.

"Why him? Why not me? I have lived my life ...why not me? Why can't I have it?... Why can't I take it from him?" his father said.

Months after his surgery, Tye is making considerable progress. He is optimistic about making a full recovery and now has his sights set on graduation.

"I will not be wheeled, I will not crutch across that stage ... I will not even do it with a cane," Tye said.

It's Tye's latest challenge: the walk of a lifetime. A walk that he homes to accomplish one small step at a time.

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