From Beached Whales to Gazelles
Imagine being a Paralympian sprinter. You don't have both of your legs but who cares? You're a world class athlete! What you do inspires people. Despite what others think, the mechanics of running are not more challenging for you than they are for Usain Bolt. It's all just different. You are admired for succeeding with just one leg. But, others are told not to even try. That just isn't right.
When someone thinks of someone with a disability, they usually feel bad for them. They will also associate the word disability with a disadvantage. What if that wasn't true? What if instead of being at a disadvantage, people with disabilities just have to look at the task differently? As Oscar Pistorius, the
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If someone's leg got amputated, that person couldn't go for a run to get exercise. Instead, maybe that person could push themselves in a wheelchair around a track. For example, I work with an organization called South East Consortium (SEC). We help kids and adults with special needs get active. A program called UCan runs every Saturday. Last year I worked with kids who have Down syndrome and Autism. I showed them how to play football, soccer, and basketball. While it was rewarding for me, it was even more rewarding for the kids. After a few weeks of basketball, Tom, a kid with Down syndrome, was making shots more often than my basketball team was. From then on, playing basketball put a smile on his face because he knew that his skills wouldn't be looked at differently because of his disability. Everyone has things that they are really good at. It's time people realize that everyone doesn't describe people who are supposedly …show more content…
Getting out and exercising can make your heart stronger, strengthen your muscles and bones, make your coordination better, and overall make you feel better about yourself! All in all, it's really beneficial. This doesn't change for people with disabilities, even if their ways of exercising are different than others. 56.5% of people surveyed said that they think people with disabilities are at a disadvantage. But, with exercise, that isn't true. For example, while a person who has two functioning legs could run around a track, a person who can't use their legs could just wheel themselves around the track in a wheelchair. Also, both types of people could go for a swim, or do upper body exercises.
81.8% of people surveyed said that they knew someone with a disability. That 81.8% might be able to help whoever they know get out and get active! In addition, 96% of people surveyed said they would be willing to help people with disabilities stay active. If even half of those people would be willing to volunteer with an organization like South East Consortium, a huge difference would be made. Some people even said they have already