Despite all the support of those around them, Charlie’s strength continued to decrease. The everyday tasks now became a whole routine. They were often late to practices because it took longer and longer to get ready. The frustrations continued to increase as well and Charlie didn’t have enough left to keep going. Lucy continually reminded him that having him even with the adjustments they had to make was better than not having him at all. With that and the joy of coaching football, he kept fighting.

The football team still was the top and performing really well. Throughout the season they gained momentum and quite a bit of media attention. Producers created a movie called Quiet Victory. They all wanted to capture Charlie’s story and the success of the team. Charlie wanted the focus to be on the boys, not him, they were the talented ones making the effort to get to the top. With the media surrounding them, they entered the semifinals. By California rules of breaking a tie, their season came to an end that night. “While winning isn’t everything, it certainly beats losing.” Charlie’s attitude despite his health and everyone else's opinion was to start preparing for the next season.

Soon after one of the best seasons for the Los Gatos Charlie’s health took a turn. He was having more trouble with simply breathing. They had to put him on life support with a breathing tube and a ventilator. It was at this low point where his perspective on life changed. Charlie and Lucy were not getting the support from doctors to keep pushing the limits of what he was doing, like coaching football. It was slowly becoming more apparent that his time was soon going to come to an end. While in the hospitals with some of the nurses who had been caring for him the past few years, Charlie believed a miracle could happen. He accepted Christ in that moment and believe he was going to become the miracle.

The made yet another trip back to Hawaii to see their family. Charlie and Lucy continued to use humor to get through the hard moments and took each day as a gift. Coming back to California, Charlie wanted and needed to coach another football season. Media was there to capture it, they created a documentary, “One More Season”. Again Charlie only agreed to the special attention in hopes that it might just help one person. Even though Charlie was still on life support the team continued to fight with him. In 1985, they became the California Coast Sectional Champions!

After that season the school did not let Charlie continue coaching despite his desires. Through that year he was still engulfed in football watching his son Kale play. More and more people hear of their story and the Wedemeyer's popularity and respect grew throughout the community. They received many different awards and honors. The support and encouragement from the community was overwhelming for the family. They began to share their story offering hope. It was during this time they traveled and Lucy, reading Charlie’s lips, gave motivational speeches to keep fighting the good fight. It was in this phase when speaking at a church a man spoke up and made Charlie realized that a whole new game had begun.

“Charlie, you may not be the head coach at Los Gatos High School anymore. But you’re still coaching -- on a higher level, with more players. And you’re coaching them in the most important game of all, the game of life”

Lucy and Charlie wanted to encourage others going through similar struggles. Their faith made a difference in their perspective of this illness. Faith made a difference in not only their life, but their kids, and others who heard their story. The sad truth is that 7/10 people eventually get a divorce when a spouse is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Lucy demonstrated and upheld her marriage vows. Charlie kept fighting even being attached to a ventilator and having to communicate through his wife reading his lips. Offering hope to others gave them him. They were no longer just surviving through life; they were now living, learning and growing each day.

“Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. We’re all terminal. Every day is a gift. It’s up to us to make the most of it.”