Ned Norton works with a woman at his gym in Albany, New York. For the past 25 years, Norton has provided free and low-cost strength training for people living with disabilities.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Norton trains more than 120 people every week through his nonprofit, Warriors on Wheels.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Norton works with people whose disabilities include spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
"I'm building them up, building them stronger, so they can go out and live life like they're supposed to," Norton said.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Norton poses with some of the program's participants in October.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
One of the program's participants exercises at the Albany gym.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Norton's strength-training equipment is specially adapted to fit his clients' needs. Most of the people he trains are in wheelchairs and rely on their upper body strength to get around.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Norton is the only trainer in the facility, which was donated to him by the city.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
Participants often form friendships and motivate one another. They also become resources for each other, providing advice and references. "When they come here, they get a network of people going through the same challenges," Norton said.
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CNN Hero: Ned Norton —
"I'm not a genius. I'm not a miracle worker," Norton said. "But I do know what I'm doing in the gym, because that's what I love doing and that's what I have to offer to people."
