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| Marshall Allen |
Pull into any parking lot in the United States and handicap stickers abound. There has been a boom of disabled Americans who can walk hundreds of steps (Americans averaging 67 steps per minute with an average of 2.5 hours per week) in a grocery store yet can’t seem to muster up the strength to work out a few more steps from a non-handicap spot. But three men remind us what dignity, determination, and true strength is through the many gifts of sport.
Fire fighter Marshall Allen, a former Golden Gloves boxer and record-holding powerlifter, was paralyzed in a freak cycling accident. A full quadriplegic, Allen continued to work full time, re-learned how to drive a vehicle with his hands, and lives alone.1
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| Jonathan Merchant |
Army veteran Jonathan Merchant, paralyzed from a car accident, also learned to drive his own vehicle, lives alone, and remains a competitive cyclist and rugby-chair player. As only an athlete can do, Merchant simply redefined who he is as an athlete and learned how to develop new skills.
And Michael Anthony, also a quadriplegic from a car accident, has redefined who he is. Hoping to raise money for a specialized sports chair, Anthony trains every day in the gym.
These amazing men, these athletes, are living testimony that there are no limitations, and everything can be adapted with the right attitude and dedication.2 Gyms, trainers, and physical therapists around the nation are only now catching up to the tremendous mindset of these individuals. The athlete within is a strong and competitive spirit that cannot be stilled for long.
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| Michael Anthony (white tank, far left) |
The irony is that while our athletes, relegated to a chair through injury, fight harder than ever, more and more able-bodied Americans are owning the term ‘disabled’ like a badge of honor. In the article, National Epidemic of Horrible People Pretending to be Disabled, this trend appears to be on the rise.3 Just as we demand fair-play and rules on the playing field, so must we in our day-to-day lives. The athlete within, that drive and spirit and nobility that comes from sweat and dogged determination is the true measure of a person. Play on … like an athlete!
Note from author: These three extraordinary men are my friends who inspire me daily. Swingman, based on Marshall Allen’s life, is both a book and documentary. Today, Michael Anthony is trying to raise funds for a new competitive chair. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/omdyq4 to help him!
1 Allred, A. (2014). Swingman, Texas, The Next Chapter Publishing.
2 Brittain, A. (2015, March 28). ‘No Limits’: Athletes with disabilities sweat, strain in a tailor-made contest. Washington Post.
3 Tuttle, B. (2013, October 12). National Epidemic of Horrible People Pretending to be Disabled. TIME.
Alex, this is very inspiring. It frustrates me so much to see people abusing the rights of disabled individuals. You would think that people would go out of their way to walk a few extra steps so someone who is actually disabled can take advantage of their benefits. Also, the individuals that are disabled are so much stronger than most non-disabled individuals it is sad. I wish our society would become as independent as those that are disabled. Keep up the great work!!
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