Being an athlete necessitates a significant amount of mental resilience and fortitude. The path is rife with challenges and triumphs, each playing a crucial role in shaping the athlete’s journey. Throughout this rollercoaster ride, parents serve as pillars of support, instilling confidence in the athletes. Clayton Frech exemplified this unwavering support for his 18-year-old son, Ezra Frech, with remarkable outcomes, as detailed by CNBC. Ezra Frech has carved a niche for himself by clinching the world record in the T-63 high jump category. His prowess is evident as he shattered his own records twice in July 2023. The athlete attributes a considerable portion of his success to the unwavering backing of his family.
Ezra, born with congenital limb variances, encountered physical hurdles early on. However, his passion for sports propelled him forward. Equipped with a prosthetic leg at just 11 months old, he delved into track and field activities. In the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France, Ezra is poised to represent Team USA. Clayton, his father, has been a constant companion in this remarkable odyssey. In an interview, Clayton shared invaluable insights on nurturing his son’s aspirations.
One of Clayton’s key pieces of advice to fellow parents is to never quash their children’s dreams. He recounted a time when Ezra aspired to join the NBA, a dream Clayton wholeheartedly supported. Despite the unforeseen restriction on participation, they embarked on a journey of exploration together. “I never told him that was impossible,” Clayton imparted, emphasizing the importance of backing one’s children in defining and pursuing their goals. Reflecting on their NBA pursuit, he added, “if they can define their own goals and then you could find a way to just get behind him and support them, I think that’s the path out of that.”
Ezra’s passion for sports remained unwavering. Transitioning from the NBA setback, he redirected his focus towards long jump, high jump, and sprint events. The road was fraught with challenges. In his T63 high jump debut in 2020, he secured the fifth position. Clayton stood by his son through the heartbreak, recalling it as a profoundly difficult moment. He shared, “It was the worst night of my life as a parent to see your kid so devastated and disappointed in their own performance. And doing it publicly on the world stage is extra hard.” During such trying times, Clayton’s encouragement served as a beacon, highlighting the impact Ezra was making in his community.
Balancing unwavering support with avoiding overwhelming Ezra posed a significant challenge for Clayton. His advice to parents is to allow their children to set their own goals without imposing personal aspirations on them. Clayton’s dedication to his children’s dreams, whether in gardening, sports, or aquarium cleaning, remained steadfast. Despite the evolving nature of their aspirations, he maintained patience and enthusiasm. In conclusion, he remarked, “We try to have fun and try to enjoy the ride too. So if the medals don’t come exactly as planned, that’s OK.” Beyond his Paralympic pursuits, Ezra serves as a motivational speaker and co-creator of Angel City Sports and Angel City Games, an annual multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities.