Ever since Miguel Navarro could remember, he wanted to be a race car driver. But after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, Miguel had to put that dream on hold. Doctors discovered a tumor in his right shoulder, which, unfortunately, is the arm he uses to shift gears when he’s driving.
Miguel began treatment in January of 2018, leaving his senior year of high school behind in order to beat cancer. Before starting chemotherapy, though, the 18-year-old had to have major shoulder surgery to remove the tumor. “The surgery, they basically took my arm off my body and put it back on,” he told Inside Edition. “When I first got out of my cast and stuff, I could not move my arm.”
Miguel started physical therapy to regain control and movement in his right arm, and his physical therapist even brought in a race car simulator to help him get used to the motions of driving a car again. Plot twist: Miguel had no idea he was “training” for the surprise race of his life!
“His positive attitude has gotten him through a really tough time,” his orthopedic oncologist Dr. Matthew Thompson revealed. “To see Miguel back in his environment, doing something he loves, is so exciting. I’m very proud of him.”
“Whenever I’m driving my car, it was always an escape from the world,” Miguel said, shortly after being surprised on the race track. “I just knew I wanted to be back on the road driving stick.”
Source : https://www.littlethings.com/race-car-teen-osteosarcoma/