How First 'Early's Angel' Earned Wings

Gary Lynn, a 16-year-old from Texas, loves nearly every sport, including baseball. But he never got the chance to see the game up close because his wheelchair confined him to the back of sections at ballparks and stadiums.

But that all changed the night he went to see the Mets at Citi Field with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

The avid fan got to see everything -- from the front row -- for the first time.

But Lynn is passioniate about more than just sports; he devotes large chunks of his time to helping other people like him who live with cerebral palsy. And for that reason, he was named an "Early's Angel" in our series which celebrates people who show courage, selflessness and a smile in the face of adversity.

"He wakes up with a smile; he goes to bed with a smile," his mother, Andrea Lynn, told The Early Show. "When people get to know him, they don't see the wheelchair. When you're on the street, people look at him and think, 'poor kid,' and then when they take the time to know him, they realize he's not a poor kid."

In fact, Gary was honored Wednesday for his efforts to make life rich for others with his disease through The Gary J. Lynn Foundation. In this year alone, Gary has thrown a chili cook-off, a golf tournament and a bike ride with more plans in the works.

"He runs the whole show," his mother said. "People think I'm...I'm not, I am in the back, Gary is giving the orders."

"Early's Angel" Gary was also surprised by an appearance from football players Brian Cushing, of the Houston Texans, and Kerry Rhodes, of the New York Jets. The pro football players brought signed team jerseys from their respective teams for Gary and tickets to an upcoming game in Gary's hometown of Houston.

Gary's mother also received a gifts to pamper her, including a Salonwish.com $1,000 spa services gift certificate and a beauty basket from Beauty.com. She also received a $1,000 gift certificate from Macy's with personal shopper services, and a $500 gift certificate for shoes from Piperlime.com.

To top it all off, Gary and his mother received a trip to Orlando, provided by the Orlando and Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

And people who know Gary say he deserves the honor.

"He is always in a good mood," said Gary's friend, Chris Markgraf.

Ronnie Turner, Gary's aide, said he never gives up: "There is no quit in him."