As a future Physician
Assistant (PA), I found ESPN’s story on 23-year old Garrett Holeve to be
awe-inspiring. Despite the fact that he has Down Syndrome, Garret has used
mixed martial arts (MMA) to find himself and become a champion MMA fighter; he
is the epitome of what someone can do if only given a chance.
At first glance,
Garrett is viewed as a kid with Down Syndrome – an outcast…not normal. Like so
many others with intellectual and physical disabilities, labels are easily placed
upon those who are different. When asked
‘What do you think the world sees when
they look at your son?’ Garrett’s father replied, ‘Unfortunately, I think they just see a kid with Down Syndrome.’ What an amazing world it would be if we could
all look past what is visible on the outside and see the inner qualities that each
person possesses.
Sports such as MMA can
offer immeasurable physical, cognitive, and affective benefits for individuals
with disabilities. While training for success in the MMA ring, Garrett lost
40lbs and in his own words has become a “rock-solid muscle guy”. Although he
has a delayed reaction time, significant modifications to his training regimen
are minimal thereby allowing Garrett to participate in competitions just like
everyone else.
Garrett’s story filled
me with mixed emotions and left me believing that anything is possible. My
take-away from Garrett’s story is to see the good in people and to never put
limits on someone with a disability.
As a future professional in the Athletic Training field the video inspired me by showing me that even someone with Down Syndrome can be as much of an athletic as anyone else. This story has a personal touch for me because I have a close family friend that I have grown up with that has Down Syndrome. I never imagined that someone with this disability could accomplish something like this, much less be allowed to compete in MMA.
ReplyDeleteGarrett’s coach did not make any major adaptions for him. It was a slower learning process for Garrett at first because he had to learn the basics. Once he got into better shape he was moving faster, had more endurance, and had a better reaction time.
It is important to include individuals with disabilities in activities so that they can feel like they are a part of something and they have accomplished something. Garrett loved being a part of MMA because it gave him something to work for, to become better. Garrett says in the video that being a part of the MMA gym has allowed him to feel like a hero for other children and people with Down Syndrome.
This video really opened my eyes; I never would have thought that this would have been possible. It just goes to show you that do not always need to adapt something for someone just because they are disabled. Being an athletic trainer you wouldn’t expect to see an athlete with disabilities but this video shows you that it is possible and that you should be prepared to handle any type of athlete.
Kelsea Campbell
This video is incredible and so inspiring!!! This guy has down syndrome and became a MMA fighter. This inspired me because he worked so hard, and was so will to do and reach the requirements he needed to reach in order to get where he wanted to, and that was to fight against someone. I just felt so happy for him with all the hard work he put into it and how he felt during and after his fight.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing they adapted for him was the fight, and they did that by the opponent choosing when and when not to hit him and letting both of the “win” the fight. As for the training and everything else nothing was modified, not even the blows.
It’s important to include individuals with disabilities because they are willing to do everything everyone else is and in some cases like Garrett’s they will work harder to meet their goes and get where they want to be. I have learned that just because they have a disability doesn’t mean you should treat them any differently than any other athlete in my gym. I may have to modify certain things but not to a great degree. I can apply this in my future in a way that if I have someone come to me and want to get in shape, this would be a great way to do that.
Kelby Mann
As a future physical educator watching Garrett’s video shows that individuals with disabilities know they have limitations and it’s my job not to put more limitations on those individuals. I need to find ways to include individuals with disabilities, because they deserve a chance as much as all of the other students in my class. I feel bad at times doubting individuals like Garrett who have Down syndrome, thinking they aren’t capable of completing activities. When in the end they’re fully capable of participating in the activities, may need a few modifications but can still participate. Garrett was practicing his MMA with others his size, he just had one person Baga to give him more one-on-one help. Including individuals with disabilities make them feel important and a sense of belonging. When Garrett became an instructor, he stated his students looked up to him like a super hero. The students looking up to Garret, gave him a since of pride. In my classroom I will make the modifications that my students need, so they feel welcome, and like they’re apart of the class. All students deserve a chance to have fun and be physically active in my class.
ReplyDeleteSidnee Martinez
Garrett MMA fighter- Down Syndrome
ReplyDeleteGarrett touched my heart in many ways. This is not the first time I have seen his video on him and how he became who he is today. I picked this video because it is an amazing story about a man who lived his dream. He loves to fight it makes him feel good. He did not let Down syndrome stop him from doing this sport. He developed and grew to be a great man. He starting teaching classes to children that his father bought and put in his name. He became teaching DJ his first student with Down syndrome. He has finally excepted himself as someone with Down syndrome.
His trainer never encountered with special needs. He did not know how to teach him at first when he met him. This sport was to reshape his body, then to just have fun because it is what he loves to do. It provided a strong connection between people. Found a passion and purpose. The fights he went through all those people treated him like a normal person. They let him know what a fight feels like, and what a punch feels like. Fighting changed him.
MMA fighting increases his blood flow and heart rate. Becoming a great person knowing that he has so many people who love him and support him.
--Melanie Adams
This is an incredibly inspiring video about Garrett Holeve, a 23 year old MMA fighter with Down Syndrome that has struggled the better part of his life with having a disability. He was often discriminatory against others with disabilities believing that if he stood next to them or associated with them in some way, it would look poorly upon himself. With the help of his father, Garrett found his passion in MMA fighting and gained an important new outlook on life and his disability. Garrett trained hard and with that hard work, lost 40 pounds and was in the best physical health of his life. The trainer treated him like a normal client, pushing him and yelling at him. Garrett was never put in this imaginary bubble to protect himself. The punches and kicks were at first softer and not as forceful, but as he trained harder, Garrett felt that he was ready to fight and fight to win. He was paired with another fighter of similar height and build, and once in the ring and the bell rang, the fight was on! Garrett was able to withstand the blows and went head to head with his opponent punch for punch. At the final bell, both fighters’ hands were raised. After the fight, Garrett received the opportunity of a lifetime when his father purchased a gym and allowed him to teach and train others. Garrett started training a young boy with Down Syndrome, and in that moment, he let go of his discrimination and fear of being associated with a disability. He was just Garrett helping a little boy live his dream and become a fighter.
ReplyDeleteAs a future educator in the public school system, I want to have an impact on children’s lives like Garrett’s trainer had on him. I want to be able to show the children that their disability does not define who they are, that instead it makes them stronger. I hope that I am able to break through to the students and help them learn that they are able to be physically fit and participate, not just be pushed to the sidelines to watch. I hope that the children are able to take with them from my class a healthier lifestyle, be more physically fit, and have acceptance for themselves and others with a disability.
Brittany Roberts
Garrett’s Fight
ReplyDeleteAs a future teacher and coach, this video really inspired me and touched my heart in all the right ways. Garrett has Down syndrome, and he wants to be a MMA fighter. He does not want to be known as someone with Down syndrome, but he does want to be known as a MMA fighter. All he wants is self acceptance and to fit in. He will not let anything or anyone get in his way of something he really wants to do. Knowing the consequences that might happen when he fights people with no disabilities did not even stop him. He does not have fear in his heart. He is very passionate about the sport and ended up coaching others with disabilities. I loved that his parents were so supportive and behind him even though a lot of people were against what they were doing. A lot of people were losing respect for Garrett’s parents and were thinking that they are putting their son in jeopardy, but parents that are willing to allow their children to walk their own path to self acceptance without worrying about the voices around them is a good sight to see. MMA fighting really was not adapted for Garrett with his disability. Some ways it could be adapted is, fighting someone else with a disability, not going in the ring as long, and to have frequent breaks. It is important to include everyone, disabilities or not. Treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. Everyone deserves a chance to accomplish something and to get better. Garrett received a lot of benefits. He lost 40 pounds, probably has become more aware about eating healthy, gained muscle, feels accomplished, sees himself as a man, and a sense of belonging. From this video, Garrett has taught me that there is no such thing as something impossible if you set your mind to it. I learned that just giving someone a shot at something cannot only change their life, but your own life as well. In my future career, I will not look down on anybody with a disability. Everyone will be treated fairly and given the same opportunity.
Brianna Johnson
I love seeing stories like these. Giving everyone a chance to succeed at something they are passionate about is a beautiful thing. Having a disability should never keep someone from trying to chase their dreams. In research that I have seen recently on the National Down Syndrome Society’s website, those with Down syndrome have an increased risk for heart defects and respiratory problems. To see Garrett work as hard as he did and use as much power as he did, it is inspiring to see someone fight the odds and the mixed opinions of others. His delays and cognitive issues will not and does not stop Garrett, and soon many will follow after seeing his story.
ReplyDeleteI like Garrett am a MMA fighter. The courage it takes for any man to step into an MMA cage is incredible, with or without a disability. Yet, I partly agree with his dad. Outside of the cage I’d see him as an equal, but inside. I would never take a fight against a person with Down Syndrome. Regardless, of the weight class the disadvantage that a person with Down Syndrome has compared to someone without it is to great. I have trained and worked with adults and children with Down Syndrome at the Rock House, in Stephenville, TX. So, I based my reason on personal experience and knowledge of the disability. Although, I take nothing away from the person that would fight someone with Down Syndrome in a MMA competition. My conscious would not be clear in doing so.
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