Red Seniors--Tech Lab Work--It's About Dignity
"Maybe I couldn't play first string, but I could of folded towels, couldn't I? I could of done something. That nurse on my ward, she keeps telling me I'm not ready."The Lifeguard at the pool, a "punchy" ex-football player who is committed for being picked up drunk and disorderly, can't get dismissed from the hospital. Is he a menace to society? Not completely. Once in a while he'll get in a three-point stance like he's ready to open a hole for a running back, but aside from that, he's able to hold a conversation, and he's willing to perform the most menial of tasks, like folding towels in the football team locker room, if it means getting out of the hospital.
Certainly back in the early 60s, people with physical and intellectual disabilities were treated with less understanding, less compassion, than they are today. Thankfully, national groups like Special Olympics and Best Buddies and local groups like DFRC (you know, the Blue-Gold people) have spread the news that "challenged" people are only "handicapped" when we treat them that way or when we whisper or snicker about them as if they didn't exist. Organizations like the OCI (Opportunity Center, Inc. --website is http://www.ourpeoplework.org/) train and employ people with disabilities to make them proud members of the work force. There is a local branch in Wilmington, by the way.
Watch this Special Olympics video ad on youtube (click on link). The video contains an unexpected ending that emphasizes the potential for greatness in everyone.
Your assignment today (complete and post before class on Tuesday, March 23) is to find on the Web an example of a living, breathing, physically or intellectually disabled person who has achieved success far beyond what society would expect from him or her.
Or find someone who has been convicted as a "criminal" or labeled a "psychopath" who has overcome his stigma, worked to amend his life, and has become a positive contributing member of society.
In 200 or 25 blog lines, tell me his or her story.
Provide the link, also, where you found this information.
posted by JTF @ 9:00 AM
27 comments
27 Comments:
Last Tuesday, March, 16, 2010, I attended the Blue Gold All-star Basketball Banquet. There we had a guest speaker named Kevin Reilly. Kevin is and ex NFL player and a cancer survivor. His story is one of adversity and the will to survive. In high school, he was captain of both the football and basketball teams. From there he was offered a full ride to Villanova for football, where he was named MVP and selected first team All-East linebacker. After college he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins but later that year was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Suddenly his world came to an unexpected halt when he was diagnosed with a rare scar tissue tumor. His cancer took his left arm, five ribs, and most of his left shoulder. After his surgery people started to tell him all the things he wouldn’t be able to do. Kevin worked hard on rehabilitation, letting nothing get him down. During his speech last Tuesday he told us of how he was told he would never be able to tie his shoes or his tie again. While telling us this he began to undo his tie and retie it in front of us (I later found out that he could also tie his shoes). Kevin believes in trying everything at least three times before he gives up. Today Kevin is a motivational speaker, and a great one at that. Howie Long, a friend of Kevin’s said, “Kevin literally brings audiences to their feet with his inspiring story. They should create a Hall of Fame for people like him.” His story teaches kids to never give up. Not only has he overcome his handicap physically he has also done it mentally. Kevin never let anyone tell him what he couldn’t do and because he believed he could do it he achieved what he wanted.
http://www.kreilly.com/index.html
Glad that you were listening at the banquet! Great story.
A physical or intellectual disability has the potential to devastate a person’s life, but for some, even the discovery of a life altering disability cannot put success on hiatus. Michael J. Fox is a successful public figure living with the degenerative disorder of the central nervous system known as Parkinson’s disease. Fox, who began his acting career in his teens, became very famous in the eighties from a popular sitcom, and a number of successful movies including the Back to the Future trilogy. Fox was at the height of his career when he was diagnosed with the disease. Despite the dreadful discovery, his acting career was not tarnished. However, his success is far greater than just his acting career alone. Fox is most notable today for the foundation he created for the research of Parkinson’s disease. Regardless of the fact that he is physically degenerating, Fox and his foundation aid others who are living with the disorder today, and desperately search for a cure for the future. What he has accomplished with his disorder is far beyond the expectations of people in our society. Instead of simply degenerating, Fox is living a proactive lifestyle in spite of his disabilities.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/
At one point in his life, Jonathan Boyer would have been ostracized just by walking the street, but now, this convicted child molester has made a point in helping others improve their lives. While some people can’t look at him in the eye and feel uncomfortable in his presence, he is renowned as an incredibly talented bicycler, and has received much praise from the athletic world. Boyer was even the first American to race in the Tour de France, an annual bicycle race lasting for three weeks and covering around 2,200 miles. Boyer finished in 32nd place. He does much more than bicycling though, he also travels across continents to help others in need. One such instance in this is he work that he has done with Project Rwanda, “a nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of the impoverished citizens of that country”(Steve Friedman, author). Here, he does little things for the citizens, like taking them on a trip to race bicycles in the Utah desert, and is currently working on making a wafer that will alleviate the effects of giardia, a parasite manly caught when people visit foreign countries, that can cause diarrhea among other symptoms. Although Boyer was once considered a menace of society and a social outcast, he is working diligently towards turning his reputation around and once again be known for his athletic ability and giving heart instead of his infamous past. Through people like Jonathan Boyer, one can see that it is possible to overcome any stigma or any harmful social label with hard work and kind motives.
Source: http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-9-18493-1,00.html
DM Red
Stephen Hawking is a disabled person who i think has overcome and accomplished more then most people who aren't handicapped. Hawking has a muscular distrophy that is related to ALS, which has put him in a wheelchair. He cannot talk either, but he has a machine that does that for him. Stephen Hawking's work with science has lasted for over 40 years and he is world renowned as one of the smartest human beings alive. He was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University for 30 years, and is known for his numerous contributions to cosmology and quantum gravity. Hawking's symptoms of ALS began when he started working at Cambridge University, but didn't let this stop him. With a completely debilitating disease, Hawking persevered and continued to teach despite losing the use of his limbs and speech. At the 50th anniversary of NASA, Hawking gave a huge speech on space and and the race to colonize other planets. Hawking has truly overcome countless odds to make a name for himself as a truly remarkable man.
Jason McElwain is an autistic twenty one year old. He has a passion for basketball that started when he was young. When he was a senior in high school McElwain was the manager of the varsity boys basketball team at Greece Athena High School in Rochester, New York. He was a dedicated manager all four years of high school and wanted more than anything to play a game. When he tried out freshman year he wasn’t “good enough” to play on the team, so he got the job on manager. It was the final game of his final year as basketball manager and the coach decided to put him in for the last four minutes of the game. He sunk shot after shot and the crowd was going wild. He ended up scoring 20 points in 4 minutes. He finally had his chance to get off the bench and play and won the game for his team. Now, four years later, he is the assistant coach at Greece Athena High School and has inspired many people to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams. He says it was the greatest night of his life, especially since he never made the team because they did not think he was good enough, when in reality the team was not good enough for him. He made a name for himself on the basketball court and in the world. People now look at him, not as an autistic kid, but as a hero.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/01/assignment_america/main6256630.shtml
Ludwig van Beethoven, is one of the most famous musicians known to the world. He composed marvelous works and astonishing symphonies. Beethoven became interested in music very early in his life. He was known as a child prodigy. Before the age of twelve, Beethoven had produced many musical works. Beethoven suffered from a disability however. Ludwig van Beethoven was known to be deaf. He was not born deaf, but his hearing deteriorated throughout his life. He expressed his great worry of becoming deaf to his friends, but Ludwig van Beethoven knew there was nothing he could do to prevent this from coming. To make up for what Beethoven knew was occurring, he dove into the process of creating music. He composed some of his greatest works during this time. Through Beethoven’s handicap and impairment, he was seen as an inspiring man. Ludwig van Beethoven did not let the problem of becoming deaf keep him from doing what he enjoyed and loved. Though he had this problem hearing, Ludwig van Beethoven taught many others about music and helped them to see the great joy it could bring a person. Through this, it allows me to see that obstacles are not barriers, just things that people need to work to overcome!
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html
I am involved in the Blue Gold All Star program and I will be playing on the Blue team this summer in the football game. Through this program there is a separate yet affiliated organization called Hand in Hand. This is where a member of the team, ambassador, or cheerleader sponsors a child with a physical or mental disability. My child's name is Ethan Hurt. He is nine years old and is suffering from autism. Not many people know what autism really is, even doctors. Because of this, it is not a very treatable disease. He is verbally autistic and has trouble communicating with others. People stare at him when he begins to act up in public because he is nervous and other kids poke jokes at him because they do not understand his condition. It took throwing a Frisbee with Ethan to allow me to fully understand what his problem is. He is normal. He likes to have a great time and smile at any single thing that makes him happy. He says whatever he wants and grasps every opportunity to enjoy himself. Because of this people see him as different, when, in reality, he is the normal one because he acts as we all should. He enjoys every second of his life and every bright smile he gives expresses his true joy. I have learned so much from him and I've only been with him twice. He is an inspiration to me.
I am a member of a blue gold buddy group. It sounds cliche but even after all the time I've spent with Forrie, I still always walk away in awe of him and his his outlook on life. There is nothing that Forrie won't try doing. He was an assistant coach for the St. Mark's football team this year, in two groups for the blue gold fashion show, a University of Delaware cafeteria employee, and a member of a cheerleading team that recently won a competition. He grabs life by the horns and never lets life pass him by. His humor and contagious attitude always leave me walking away in a better mood with a better appreciation for life. He's always smiling and laughing, no matter what the situation. Forrie's life hasn't been easy either so it's a wonder that he's able to have such a great outlook on life. He lives with his foster family, while he has to live in a world where people aren't always accepting of him. For most of us, we would let this get to us, but not Forrie. I have learned more from him and the time I've spent with him than I ever thought possible. I'm lucky to know such a great and strong person.
Most people who are physically or mentally disabled, have not been that way their entire lives. Some may get into an accident and become challenged. A man by the name of Doug Landis is a prime example. At a young age he was injured in a car accident and could not use his hands. He was then physically unable to do many things. He was a normal child, and enjoyed the same things as most other children. He was very inspired by art. Although he could not use his hands, he developed a way of painting with his mouth. He would place the paintbrush, or pencil in his mouth and use his neck to move the object and create a picture. He is very inspired by his artwork and could not sleep at night. He was awake creating new ideas for his artwork. This just shows how a normal person could change his life, and become physically enable to complete certain tasks. But nothing stood in the way of his dreams. He overcame the struggles and is a well-known and achieved artist.
I had a buddy last year named Olivia. She is a very sweet girl with a big heart. Olivia has trouble with larger crowds and loud noises. She gets frightened and they can cause her to have seizures. Her seizures arouse often and my group and I were informed of this. Her mother told us to just lay her down and wait with her until they stopped. It happened several times when we were out with her; they were very common. These seizures have always stopped her from being in the fashion show. I’m not even sure if she went to most of them to watch her friends. The lights, the people and the cheering were thought to be too much for her. At the practices for the show I was very surprised but thrilled to see Olivia there. It was her first year and I could tell she was excited. I was so happy to see her enjoying herself and experiencing for the first time what it is like to be involved in the show. I know she had a great time it was apparent on her face both those nights. She was up there on stage in front of everyone with everything going on around her, and she was okay. She was singing with the words and dancing, I’ve never seen a smile so big. I was so proud of her and I know she made the right decision to be in the show. I hope she continues next year because I know she had the time of her life.
This year I was in the fashion show. When I got to the first practice, I was assigned to the prom scene. I am so glad that I was because I wouldn’t have met my buddy Mike. Mike is an inspiration to me. He is one of the nicest, warmest, and kindest people I have ever met. He was always joking around with me and he always made me smile. He loved to dance. Every time I looked he would always be dancing. He was a much better dancer than me and would always help me when I needed to learn my moves. He has been in the fashion show for a few years now and he loves it every time. This was his last year in the fashion show so I wanted to make his last year the best ever. Before our dance went on, I was nervous and he was the one telling me not to be and that everything was going to go smoothly. Being with him as my partner made me so much more confident and that I wouldn’t mess up. He is a great person and I am so glad that I was able to meet him.
For some generations when you hear the name Christopher Reeve you think of “Superman”, for other generations you think of the accident that changed this mans life forever. Reeve started out his career in Hollywood as a director and actor, some of the works that made him famous were, of course “Superman” and also “The Bostonians.” However in 1995 Reeve suffered a fall from his horse at an equestrian competition, that paralyzed him from the neck down (becoming a quadriplegic). After suffering this trauma Reeve considered his options, one of them being committing suicide but after speaking with his wife he decided “up” was the only way to go. Reeve was told that he would never walk again much less move any part of his body from the neck down, and the recovery process would be a long and painful process. Reeve never lost hope though; he underwent countless surgeries and long hours of physical and occupational therapy. After his accident Reeve continued to direct many TV productions, he also wrote an autobiography that topped the New York Times Bestsellers list for some time. Reeve also started the Christopher Reeve Foundation, that funds research to develop treatments and help to try and find a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. They also donate some to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Christopher Reeve has been and inspiration to so many people, with and without disabilities showing you can overcome obstacles no matter how hard they might be.
Cynthia Amendt was diagnosed with the highest grade of glioma, gliobastoma, nearly fours prior to the publication of this article. Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive type of deadly brain tumor. Growing up in California inspired Amendt’s passion for teaching. Art was always something she took pride in. When she was diagnosed with this brain tumor, her hopes to continue her profession as an art teacher dwindled. She began treatment of radiation and chemotherapy but to no avail. And in addition to the ineffective treatments there were serious side effects. And with a survival rate of three percent, Amendt began to think there was no hope to teach again. Finally she came to Mayo Clinic as her last hope. After eighteen months on a clinical trial Amendt’s tumor shrunk significantly. She was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Despite, a slight loss of sensation on her right side and speaking more slowly than before, she is living strong. Now with her disease under control, Amnedt is living the live she never thought she would ever be able to live again. Her deadly tumor has taught her to never give up on life and always strive for better. "I advise people to explore their passions now — don't wait," she says. " Life is to short and now that she has overcome what most people didn’t believe she could ever overcome, she is not only teaching about art but about teaching medical investigators about her disease as well.
When I worked at Wal-Mart my two years ago, one my most enjoyable things to do was to work with a young man named Gary. We have many similarities, such as our hobbies of fishing and football, making us very good friends. Gary and I also have very good work ethics which allowed us to get the job done while still having fun. Gary is probably the hardest worker and most animated person I have ever met and made my Wal-Mart experience extraordinary. However, some of our fellow employees sadly did not feel the same way about Gary. His mental disability made them irritated all because Gary did things a little slower. The honest truth is that Gary could’ve pushed twice the amount with his amazing strength before the other guys knew what hit them. It was because of Gary’s determination that he achieved the honor of being Employee of the Month for Elkton’s Super Wal-Mart. It was a very humbling experience because nobody would’ve expected a man who couldn’t even drive or read to earn such a title. I can vividly remember the day it was announced and his family, along with the Wal-Mart community, were so proud of Gary. It was great to see just how a guy like Gary can make his mark in a society that sometimes does not support people like him. This story always reminds me that no matter who you are, everybody is equal and I am honored to have known a guy like Gary.
There are many people that overcome physical, mental challenges to achieve great success. One great example of a person overcoming a physical disability is Oscar Pistorius. He is a South African double amputee and is called “the fastest man on no legs” or “blade runner”. He uses a pair of carbon-fiber prosthetic legs (that resemble blades hence the nickname) to run. He has won gold medals in 100m, 200m, and 400m races. And has set world records for someone with disabilities in 100m, 200m, and 400m. He has participated in the 2008 Summer Paralympics, where he won some of his many medals. However there is much controversy over if whether or not he has an unfair advantage over other participants. Because the legs are longer than “necessary” and don’t suffer from lactic acid buildup like normal muscles would. Some scientists have information to back up this theory. This has consequently disqualified him from people able to participate in events with runners that have normal ample body legs.
I have been in blue-gold for three years here at St. Marks. This however was my first year participating in the fashion show. It was an unforgettable experience for me and it was all because of the buddies. They are undoubtedly the nicest people you will ever talk to in your life. They are so kind hearted and easy going, their incredible personalities are contagious. At first I thought being assigned to prom scene would be frustrating and difficult but it was completely the opposite. I don't think I've ever had so much fun. I wish I could narrow it down to one buddy but all of them played an equal role in the best prom scene in ten years, as labeled by Mrs. K. From Tina's spicy personality, Squallie's sweet dance moves, Laura's contagious laughter, Forey's unforgettable personality, Scottie's kindness, Jeff's enthusiasm they are all amazing. Although I did not list every buddy, they were all so important to the show and I learned so much from them. They taught me how to be carefree and enjoy all the little things that come around. Squallie and I even have a handshake now, and Tina told me that she would date me if she didn't have a boyfriend, bummer. They made every practice worthwhile and the show incredible. I miss it already and I wish I had another opportunity to get together with all of them. I'll miss them all but I'll never forget the time we spent together.
For the past couple years now, I have been participating in the Blue Gold program at St. Mark's. It was not until this year, however, that I truly understood how much it has impacted my life. Back in February I tried out for the fashion show and I was assigned to the prom scene. Prom scene is the big finale of the show where all the buddies get to participate. We practiced many weeks and put a lot of hard work into the show and it turned out great. One of the buddies that I became really close with was Olivia. When she first started to coming to practice she was extremely shy and didn’t really want to ever talk. Her mom even told us that she has had seizures and bright flashing lights were very bad for her. I remember thinking I hope she’s going to be able to make it through the show. However, she proved me wrong. Each practice she got more and more outgoing. She even made her dance partner, Matt, a beautiful card. The night of the fashion show, she got up on that stage and was twirling her sparkly dress. She looked like she was having the time of her life. She had a blast and her face lit up everytime she saw her dance partner Matt. She was a whole other person, and got through the big crowd, loud noises, and flashing lights just fine. I was so proud of her when we did the girls’ dance because she danced with such an enthusiasm about her that it made everyone so happy to watch her perform and overcome various obstacles in her life.
Throughout my high school years I have really enjoyed being a part of Blue-Gold. However, it had never before touched me in the way that it did this year. This year, I am in a buddy group, along with my other friends, and Laura Kelly. Laura is our buddy, but I see her in such a different way after everything we've done together this year. Laura is unbelievable. She has an infectious laugh and smile, and a personality that cannot be beat. Not only is she one of the sweetest, most outgoing, and caring people I have encountered, but she is out to be the best she can be. Laura participates in sports and even holds the lead in a play. It is a group called Totally Awesome Kids, which is held by the Delaware Theatre Company. This group is a performance put on by kids with cognitive disabilities. I always knew Laura was a star, but I cannot wait to see her in action on the stage. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend alot of time with Laura over the past few weeks for the Blue-Gold Fashion Show. I have been lucky enough to have been in the prom scene. Without trying to sound too cliche, nothing has changed my life more than being around those buddies. With every practice we had, Laura showed up full of smiles and ideas. She would often let loose and dance by herself in a circle, showing the rest of the group what she can do. Being a part of prom scene and spending so much time with these buddies, I had a realization. These are people and so many others forget that. They are the most wonderful people I have ever met and can do so much more than they are expected. Fashion Show was perfect, and Laura and the other buddies were great. They were all stars in the show and they couldn't have been happier. However when the show ended, I was overcome with sadness. I love Laura and the other buddies and I am going to miss them so much. They consistently amaze me with their spirit and good nature. My life has been truly changed because of them, and I thank God for all of the time I got to spend with them.
Geri Jewell, a comedian an actress, was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral refers to the affected area of the brain and Palsy refers to the disorder of movement. She is most famous for her role on The Facts of Life and HBO's Deadwood. She was the first person with a disability to have a regular role on a television series. Besides being a comedian and actress, Geri Jewell is a motivational speaker and trainer for people with disabilities. She brings her own personal experiences into her works, which allows her audience to see people with disabilities in a different way. Despite her disability she has received such as the 1992 Founders Award, the 2006 Victory Award and the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award. Geri Jewell is said to be a pioneer for comedians with disabilities.
http://www.gerijewell.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfMlrTV_5vY&feature=channel
When this assignment was first given, I was extremely excited to find someone with an intellectual disability to write about because of my involvement with Blue-Gold and the buddy program as well as fashion show. I have seen first hand how great people with intellectually disabilities are and how much they can offer us in life lessons. But searching the web it took me an extremely long time to find anyone to write about, which opened my eyes to the fact that not many people have had the experiences that I have. Finally I found the perfect person to write about, Edward Barbanell. Edward is an actor with downs syndrome. His most known work is his role in the movie The Ringer. In this movie he plays an athlete in the Special Olympics with Johnny Knoxville. When researching Edward, I watched a video about the use of the R-Word in which he speaks about the effects it has on someone with a disability. In this movie he says "it is like God taking away something from them in one area, and making them extraordinary in other areas." He also speaks about breaking down walls and not letting anyone make fun of him because those people are not his friends. This video is exactly what I was looking for because Edward is the same kind of person who has touched my life through Blue-Gold and opened my eyes to how much intellectually disabled people have to teach us.
Bethany Hamilton is a female surfer from Hawaii, who began surfing at a very young age. She was taught by her parents and brothers because they were surfers as well. By ten years old, she was already nationally ranked and picked up by a sponsor, helping her to become a professional surfer. On October 31, 2003 at 7:30 am, Hamilton went surfing with her friend and her friend’s father and brother. She was lying on her board, with her left arm hanging in the water when a 15 foot Tiger shark attacked her, ripping her entire left arm off from the shoulder. She lost 60% of her blood and if the shark bit just two inches higher, the attack would have been fatal. She didn’t let this incident keep her from surfing. Just three weeks after the attack, Hamilton became determined to get back on her board and learn how to surf with one arm. Many people doubted her, because it would be very difficult to balance with just one arm and if she fell off her board it would be hard for her to swim. Hamilton didn’t let anyone discourage her. She developed a custom made board that was thicker and longer which made it easier to paddle. Once she had her board, she began to teach herself how to surf with one arm and was soon back to surfing competitively. Just a year after the attack in 2004, she was awarded the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year. She also received a special courage award at the Teen Choice Awards this same year. Then in 2005, Hamilton took first place in the NSSA National Championships. The year 2008 was her biggest accomplishment by far though – at just eighteen years old and with one arm, she placed third in the World’s Qualifying Series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Hamilton
Throughout my research for my research paper I came across a person who is truly an inspiration. His positive attitude and words of wisdom give so many people around the world hope and confidence to never give up. Nick Vujicic is a 26-year-old man who was born without any arms or legs. He was however born with two small feet, one of them having 2 small toes. Growing up Nick was able to learn to write with his two toes and also leaned to use a computer. However, being bullied led him into depression and attempts of suicide. Nick questioned God, asking him why he made him like this. Finally at a turning point in his life, he decided to thank God for actually being alive. God is now such a big part of Nick’s life. He was thankful for the things he did have instead of what he was missing. Nick got his life back together and graduated college with a double major in accounting and financial planning. He now travels as a motivational speaker. He talks to teens about the hardships that they face in the everyday world. Everyone could learn a lot from Nick. He believes in never giving up and looking on the bright side of a situation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY&feature=related
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the best known presidents in american history. He was nominated for Vice President for the democratic party in 1920. FDR became incresingly powerful in politics, but tragedy struck in the following year. He was diagnosed with poliomyelitis, commonly know as polio, at the young age of 39. The public saw it as an insurmountable dilemma, but despite this belief, he became the President of the United States in 1932. He was the only president to serve more than two terms, and accomplished unimaginable things while in office. He made great strides to recover buisnesses and agriculture, put larger taxes on the wealthy, and he created social security policies. With the threat of war lingering, FDR prepared the United States, as well as creating the United Nations in 1945 to help settle international disputes. He passed away later that year. President Roosevelt had extreme physical setbacks, but he didn’t let it stop him. He served in the New York Senate, he was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Vice President nominee, and brought the United States out of the great depression. He worked to overcome his disease and soar past everyone’s expectations of him. With similar economic conditions, will the healthy current administration be able to accomplish as much as someone who had to simultaneously overcome physical disability?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/franklindroosevelt
Abdel-Rahman Hassan is one example of a Special Olympics athlete who was changed by his experience. A swimmer with spinda bifida from Saudi Arabia, he also is partially paralyzed – but at the 2007 Summer World Games in China, Abdel-Rahman won gold medals in 25- and 50-meter races. Rahman’s condition led doctors to install a tube in his brain to get rid of extra liquids. He also experienced difficulties urinating and at the age of three developed asthma. His talent did not come naturally or easily; his father says it took him a month to hold his breath underwater for three seconds, and a year to swim a distance of one meter. He was honored by China after winning the two medal. He impressed the Chinese fans by his determination and strong will. He is a special needs swimming coach to help others like him. He has participated and won many tournaments for special needs children, including two medals at special olympics. “No one believed he could do it just by looking at him, but there is always more than the eyes can see. The whole stadium was cheering ‘KSA,’ ‘Abdul,’ and ‘Saudi Arabia,’ regardless of their nationalities,” said his father. He is only ten years old, and is a champion despite all his hardships that he has endured.
http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=21§ion=0&article=105775&d=22&m=1&y=2008
http://www.somena.org/ViewNews.aspx?NID=111
My brother;s girlfriend has a son named Liam that was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was born. He is now three and a half years old and to me, has achieved and been through a great amount. Liam cannot talk, cannot walk, cannot crawl, and cannot, most of the time, make his body do what he wants it to. But, despite all of that he is one of the most lively and funny little kids I get to play with. Liam tries so hard to do things that we take for granite on a daily basis. He has small braces for his legs that he uses, a walker, and attends therapy at AI DuPont Children's Hospital. He also has a feeding tube that is permanently attached to his stomach in case he has days where he cannot eat. Even though Liam is still young, to me he has achieved what many can't: happiness. I know the life he has ahead of him will be hard, but I also know that he loves to have fun and always tries to do his best until he can't anymore. I'm confident that Liam will keep on exhibiting more of his smarts and wit as he gets older- surprising those who will think differently about him.
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