A 5-year-old boy in Louisiana is inspiring the world one step at a time.

According to CBS News, Merick Williams Jr. was born at 23 weeks, weighing slightly more than a pound. Now, he's living with cerebral palsy.

Williams proved he's destined to overcome the odds in a viral video posted to Facebook by his mom. The clip shows the 5-year-old taking his first steps without his walker, two months after surgery on his tendon. 


"Two months after his surgery and I am so happy with the results. His recovery was a tough process to get through but it was all worth it," his mother, Kayla Nichols, wrote on Facebook. "We been through a lot to even get to this point, never gave up on him, even when times did get rough and I never will! A true definition of a Miracle Baby! I’m so bless to be your mom and I wouldn’t change it for anything! I’m just sooo proud of him!! Words can’t even explain."

This isn't the first time Williams has given the internet material for a good cry. In 2018, he went viral after making a touchdown during his little league football game. 

"If you would have saw the look on his face when he crossed the goal line, it was amazing," the team's coach, Jamar Martin, told WAFB. "Everybody was there to cheer him on. The fans in the stands were cheering him on. The moment was priceless."

Still, this is only the beginning for Williams. 

"He's going to be playing baseball this spring and we couldn't be more excited for everything he's doing," Nichols said. 

Although doctors predict that Williams will eventually walk fully on his own, Nichols said his biggest problem right now is that he is afraid to fall.

"The main goal is to continue to keep weight on his legs and make sure he is very active because if not, his legs will tighten again," she said.

Is somebody cutting onions around here? Please stop.