View a gallery of images of Lawrence High track and field athlete Matthew Whaley, who has cerebral palsy, competing in the shot put for the Lions.

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High junior Matthew Whaley laughs with track and field coach Jack Hood during practice March 30, 2015, at LHS. Whaley has been competing on the LHS track and field team despite being born with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair. "We've evolved past treating people like Matthew as different," Hood said.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew starts laughing with his para Ben Martin while working on curls in the weight room on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

during a physical therapy session on Friday, April 3, 2015 at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley lies on his back as his daytime paraeducator, Cody Jones, stretches out his legs during a physical therapy session April 3, 2015, at Lawrence High School. Matthew requires daily stretching for his legs, which become tight because of inactivity. "The average person doesn't know what goes into my life to make me as flexible as I can be," said Whaley.

photo by: Nick Krug

Cody helps to tie Matthew Whaley's shoes after a physical therapy session April 3, 2015, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley thrusts himself upward to get back in his chair after a physical therapy session April 3, 2015, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

Jennifer Thomas waits for her son, Matthew Whaley, as he braces himself while coming down the stairs head first before catching a bus to school on April 8, 2015 at his Lawrence home.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley heads down his driveway toward a T-Bus equipped with a lift before school on April 8, 2015.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley gets a high five from senior Jackie Guerin as she stops to chat with him in the hallway shortly before school lets out March 31, 2015, at LHS.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley laughs with his paraeducator, Ben Martin, as the two make their way to the track to warm up before a meet at LHS.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley stretches out his arms with resistance bands attached to a chain link fence as other competitors check in before throwing during a meet April 9, 2015, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley stretches out with resistance bands before throwing during a meet on March 31, 2015, at LHS.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley takes a break from wheeling himself around the track as his teammates pass by during warmups before the meet on March 31, 2015, at LHS.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew pushes himself around the track while walking with his para Ben Martin on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew squeezes in during a huddle of the shot putters during a meet on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at LHS..

photo by: Nick Krug

Jennifer Thomas watches her son compete during a meet on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Lawrence High School. "It's really special not necessarily just for Matthew's achievements, but for other disabled kids that Matthew is kinda paving the way for," said Thomas.

photo by: Nick Krug

Teammates and spectators watch as Matthew throws on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 during a meet at LHS.

photo by: Nick Krug

Matthew Whaley grits his teeth as he prepares to throw during a meet at at LHS. He set a personal best with a throw of 6 feet 3 inches.

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High track and field coach Jack Hood gives Matthew Whaley a fist bump after he set his personal best with a throw of 6 feet, 3 inches during a meet March 31.

photo by: Nick Krug

Jennifer gives Matthew a pat on the head after watching one of his throws. "My hope would be that it has this kind of ripple effect, not necessarily just in Lawrence, but people outside of Lawrence can see that Matthew participating doesn't hinder the competitive nature of the sport," said Thoams.

photo by: Nick Krug

photo by: Nick Krug

The shadows of Matthew Whaley and his paraeducator, Ben Martin, stretch out over the shot during practice March 30, 2015, at Lawrence High School. Whaley says he has no specific distance goal in his sport, the shot put, but he just wants to continue competing and having fun.