Autistic sixth-grader and P.E. teacher tackle marathon
Check out Shelly Leachman's story about Luca Paparello, the 13-year-old autistic boy training for the Los Angeles Marathon. He's a sixth-grader at Dana Middle School in Hawthorne. Here's an exerpt:
With long, slender legs that propel him gracefully - and quickly - he smiles as he runs. Sun in his face, breeze at his back, friends at his side.
Each time he completes a lap, he cocks his head toward a pair of onlookers, offers up a warm, crooked grin and raises two fingers into a peace sign.
Once his workout is done for the day, flush-faced but barely winded Luca Paparello right away gives great credit to his shoes.