Student's study abroad photo reveals beautiful story of friendship

Some photos are worth a thousand words, and this photo has a beautiful story behind it that has inspired people across the web to share the photo more than one million times.

According to Montana Kaimin, University of Montana senior Gabrielle Broere was diagnosed with the neurological disorder cerebral palsy when she was just one year old. Because of her physical disability, Broere can only walk short distances with the assistance of crutches, though is often confined to her wheelchair.

Despite physical challenges, Broere says she never feels limited, even when people have told her she should.

Though during her study abroad in Greece, Broere was nervous that her fellow classmates -- whom she had already bonded with over the fall semester -- may resent her if she couldn't do everything they could do.

"I wasn't really sure how people were going to react to me and how helpful they would be and if I was going to get left behind," she told Montana Kaimin.

In 2011, Broere had taken a 10-day trip to Peru where she first encountered numerous difficulties trying to access different places. The experience left her nervous for her study abroad, that she might be left behind.

Despite fears, Broere went with the 16 other students to Greece for 17 days, which proved to be incredibly inaccessible by wheelchair.

But Broere's worries were dissolved when members of the group did not let stairs and broken elevators prevent her from enjoying the trip with them.

"There was one time when we were on the ferry and the lift broke so they had four guys carry me down the stairs in my wheelchair," Broere told Montana Kaimin.

Though challenging, the selfless group members even helped Broere climb up to the Acropolis in Athens. She says it was her favorite part of the trip.

"People were really good about letting me use their hands and their arms to get around when I needed it," she told Montana Kaimin. "We made it work."

Finally, the class visited the Aegean Sea where they could no longer push Broere's wheelchair, and without her crutches, Broere could not approach the water.

That's when four of her friends hoisted Broere by her arms and legs, and carried her into the water so she could stand in the sea.

"It was surreal," Broere told Montana Kaimin. "I was in complete awe of where I was and what was happening."

Despite being unable to use her legs, Broere is not paralyzed, and could feel the water on her feet.

"It sucks getting around and it's hard, but I can do it," said Broere. "I've been through a lot now, and I'll continue going through that the rest of my life. I can't let anything hold me back. I would love to go to France and Italy next."