About the Movie

Rated PG-13 (brief drinking of alcohol on school property) / 1h 42m

As a typical teenager, Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) is a local hero both on and off the high-school football field in his small Kentucky town, but in 1997, Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. With the loving help and concern of his parents, physical therapist, coach and best friend, Travis demonstrates what true bravery is: He continues to compete on the gridiron and helps his team advance to the state finals.

Our Take of 23 Blast

For starters, we love movies that are based on true stories.  When you add to the plot a medically based issue – then we find ourselves compelled to watch the movie.

One can have a medical issue from birth or they can live years before one transpires.  I’ve always said that I am thankful that my severely disabled son, who has been that way since he was 3-weeks old, never knew what it was like to walk, to play – he’s never missed anything because he never had it to begin with.  Ironically, my son, has optic nerve damage that left him blind in one eye from a brain hemorrhage.

That said, when Travis lost his eyesight from an infection that one day just overtook his body leaving him with optical nerve damage – he became blind.  Something he once had was gone – completely gone. How does one cope with that?  How does the family cope with that?

In this inspiring movie you will see how Travis, his parents, and friends overcome the adversity that has been dealt their way.  As a mother of a severely disabled child, I could completely relate with how Travis’ mom was feeling about the entire situation.  I give much credit to Travis’ dad for handling the situation as he did – my son’s father didn’t, walking out on us and that’s hard to swallow.

It’s not easy to hear that your child has a disability that effects his sole being.  It’s not easy to comprehend that this precious child you gave birth to is experiencing life in a way that’s not been an envisionment from the day of conception – even before.

So, as this movie unfolded, my heart, as did my teen’s and her friend’s, sank for Travis and his family.  We watched this beautiful family have to deal with adversity that was so unexpected.  But…they prevailed.

Travis found strength to believe in himself through the help of others believing in him. His mother, she found strength when she needed it most, and dad – he went with the flow and came out on top too.  And the state of Kentucky is to be recommended for the laws they have in place for individuals facing adversity as such.

I don’t want to give away the end of this heart-warming story.  You need to see how Travis helps his team move on to the state finals!  It’s a movie that everyone should watch because one never knows when adversity will hit close to home. It’s one that will give you the reason to believe miracles do happen, and no matter the circumstance, you can prevail.  I will tell you though – the ending is miraculous.

23 Blast is a must see movie – it will make you thankful for having the gifts you have and it will make you realize that you can change the life of another who is faced with such adversity.

Giveaway

Take a chance on winning a copy of 23 Blast for yourself.

Entry is easy – Rafflecopter powered. One entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.