You can measure strength in various ways. Some people are physically strong and can lift heavy objects or climb walls. Others are mentally strong and use their minds to overcome obstacles.
The Fourth Annual Rockford Ninja Warrior event brought 16 out of the 30 professional ninjas from the television show, American Ninja Warrior, to Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on a recent afternoon.
American Ninja Warrior Grant McCartney lifts Drew Drechsel over his head during a special performance at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Manas Multani, 5, peeks over his chair during a performance by the American Ninja Warriors. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
American Ninja Warrior Joe Moravsky lifts himself on a chair. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
American Ninja Warrior Dabiel Gil laughs while watching the performance with 7-year-old Brenym Pell. Brenym is being treated for medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Manas Multani, 5, asks the American Ninja Warriors who the strongest is among them. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kevin Bull break dances on stage in the Balk Cafe. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
American Ninja Warriors James McGrath, left, Joe Moravsky and Daniel Gil pose for a photo with 11-year-old Tegan Rose. Tegan is being treated for leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Joe Moravsky signs a poster for 5-year-old Manas Multani. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Karsten Williams poses for a photo with 6-year-old patient Annabelle Demedeivos, from Canada. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The American Ninja Warriors line the stage after their performance and give a warm thank you to the audience. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
You can measure strength in various ways. Some people are physically strong and can lift heavy objects or climb walls. Others are mentally strong and use their minds to overcome obstacles.
Patients gasped and smiled as the ninjas did flips, handstands and other tricks.
Five-year-old Manas Multani had a question for the ninjas.
“Who is the strongest?” Manas asked.
Grant McCartney, the American Ninja Warrior from Hawaii known at the Island Ninja, said, “Manas, that is a really great question.”
“You can be physically strong, you can be mentally strong—there’s a lot of strongs,” McCartney explained. “To be honest, this group, they are very physically strong. But as we look out here and see the faces that are smiling—even if you all might be going through some tough stuff—you guys are mentally strong. So when we come here to visit you guys, we have to work on our mental strength.”
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