They went to school in a small schoolhouse several miles from their home and would usually arrive early in order to light the stove for the teacher. All they had to do was put in the provided fuel and strike a match.
Then came the day that someone mistook a can of gasoline for kerosene.
The blast of flame that followed enveloped Floyd completely. Glenn was farther away, yet was still injured, and even more so when he tried to go back to rescue his brother. But it was too late. Floyd was dead and Glenn's legs had been completely mutilated by the fire.
Doctors urged his parents to authorize them to amputate the legs, but they refused.
And Glenn surprised them all.
Despite having lost all the toes on his left foot and the skin on his legs, he refused to be a cripple. A firm Christian, he focused on one particular verse regarding his handicap and used it as inspiration to continue living, and work his hardest, not to stand again, but to run.
Now Glenn Cunningham is remembered for competing in two series of Olympics, breaking world records for running speeds, and being voted 'the most popular athlete' by those in the Olympics with him.
He was known by two names on the track: "Bad legs" and "The Kansas Ironman"
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