011 "Fly a Little Higher" with Laura Sobiech (and Zach Sobiech, "Clouds")

When her son got back from a leisurely jog, he complained of a dull pain in his hip. Within months, the 14 year-old, basketball-playing, fun-loving boy, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - bone cancer. And, while the doctor's reported that it has a 70% survival rate, the concerned mom heard that there was a 30% chance of her losing her son. Laura Sobiech, Zach's mom and author to the incredible book Fly a Little Higher,  joins us on the show and shares Zach's message of hope and encouragement - It's all about relationships and touching lives.

The beginning of his fight

Once he was diagnosed, Zach said - I think it’s part of something big.

Physically weak but spiritually and emotionally strong

Originally with a dime-store guitar, when he became to weak to play basketball and do teenage boy stuff, as his mother says, he found "shelter" in his music. One day, as Laura was cleaning his room, she found the lyrics to a song that would quickly go on to become somewhat of an anthem. (The original, very homemade recording for his song was done on his cell phone.)

Wonderful lessons we can learn from Zach

Don’t let a future that doesn't exist yet, squash the present moment.
use your talents well, whatever it may be, to make the world a better place
Use simple means to make other's life better, like putting smile on their face.

The Legacy

Zach not only knew that he was going to die, he knew when he was going to die. And, after a courageous fight, is 2013, he passed; but not without leaving us with his beautiful messages and a song - Clouds. The You Tube video has been viewed more than 10 million times. (check out our list of inspirational music videos)

Get Laura's book and learn how to Fly a Little Higher.

Follow Laura on Twitter and visit Zach's page on Facebook.