"Limited" NOT "Unable"

For this blog I wanted to elaborate more on a previous blog dealing with athletes with disabilities. In class we talked alot about people with disabilities that participate very effectively in various sports. They compete at a similar level as athletes without disabilities, in fact they have to work much harder to accomplish the same task as their more abled counterparts. As a class assignment we were instructed to give a presentation highlighting topics or issue that stood out to us over the course of the semester. I decided to present about athletes with disabilities. Prior to discussing this topic I did not expect to be as inspired as I was, instead I naturally thought that by me being a soft hearted and emotional person that I would feel more sorry for these atheltes with disabilities more than anything. Fortunately my emotions took me in a different route and I felt more inspired by the stories that were presented. Athletes with disabilities have a different type of determination than their more abled counterparts and the way they persevere and beat all odds and disrupt all social norms against them gives encouragement and the motivation to succeed to people of all physicalities.

In class we talked about two athletes with disabilities that our professor Dr. Spencer has had a personal acquaintance with whom are well know for their participation and success in the sports world. Amy McKnight who is a wheelchair tennis player and Scott Hollenbeck, a wheelchair racer who is also a silver medalist for the Paralympics in Barcelona. Both of their stories were truely inspiring and it amazed me to see how their perceived limitations proved their that their passions for the game triumps over any limitations.

Another story that I was able to relate more to was an athlete from my home town in Dayton Ohio who I believe has opened alot of doors for people of all disabilities and/or limiting issues. Bobby Martin is a linebacker who was born without legs. For as long as I can remember he has always gotten around on a skateboard and uses his hands and arms for mobility. He gets around very well from what I have witnessed and has not allowed his disability to hinder him from playing the game he loves. I find it amazing that even though he does not possess the anatomy to walk, that he is still able to keep up with his average size teammates and opponents. Stories like his and many others like his, just re-inerates that nothing is impossible as long as you have the courage, passion and will power to achieve it.