{"id":13580,"date":"2023-09-21T09:39:13","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T13:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/?p=13580"},"modified":"2023-09-21T13:23:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T17:23:13","slug":"mark-wahlberg-feels-inspired-by-friendship-with-paralyzed-hockey-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/2023\/09\/mark-wahlberg-feels-inspired-by-friendship-with-paralyzed-hockey-player.html","title":{"rendered":"Mark Wahlberg Feels ‘Inspired’ By Friendship With Paralyzed Hockey Player"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CBS Boston \/ Youtube | Inset: John Gress Media Inc \/ Shuttstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a high school hockey accident paralyzed Jake Thibeault from the waist down, his work ethic and grit garnered a new friendship with actor Mark Wahlberg. The actor said, \u201cFor Jake to have the attitude that he has had at the age that he has, it\u2019s very inspiring. We\u2019ve become good friends. Obviously, we have got a lot in common from being back home, and sports and family and all that stuff, but his work ethic and his attitude are something that continues to encourage me every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thibeault said, \u201cHe gave me a call, and I was kind of a little blown away. I was like, holy cow. But now it\u2019s just a friendship. We talk often, once or twice a week and text often.\u201d September marks the second anniversary of the spinal cord injury that left Thibeault unable to use his legs. Wahlberg shared a video on Instagram of Thibeault\u2019s physical therapy<\/a> as he works to restore his strength.<\/p>\n

Thibeault said of the video, \u201cIt\u2019s gone pretty, pretty viral, I guess you could say. Mark was nice enough to put it up. I did not expect it to reach as many people as it did, but I am glad it did because it can help one more person. He\u2019s an impressive guy in what he does with his life and how he carries himself in his life. It\u2019s inspiring to me, and it\u2019s motivating to me.\u201d Thibeault hopes not only to walk again but to get back on the ice and skate.<\/p>\n