Tag: adaptive sports

The New University of Florida Basketball Player

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Since I was watching a pre-season NBA game earlier tonight, I guess it’s fitting that today’s post is about basketball.  Specifically, I’d like to spotlight The University of Florida for adding a basketball player who has a physical disability to their roster.  I graduated from the University of Central Florida, and anyone who knows me, knows how much I love the Knights but, a special kudos goes out to the University of Florida for making this choice.

I’ve written before about adaptive sports but, this is really great.  Zach Hodskins was born with part of his left arm missing but, it’s obvious he never let that stop him from what he wants to do in life.  It’s not about what you can’t do, it’s about knowing what you want to do and finding a way to get there.  I’m proud to read that he never stopped the way people looked at him from what he wanted to do. I have limited use of my left arm and hand and if I let the fact that people stare at me sometimes stop me from what I want to do in life, I wouldn’t have accomplished as many things as I have.  As I’ve said before any sort of sport whether it’s an adaptive one or if you can participate in a mainstream one, the most important thing is to stay active.

With younger people who are disabled positively influencing the younger generations, and showing the older generations that disability doesn’t stop us from focusing on our abilities, maybe we can begin to erase the negative stereotypes that unfortunately still exist.  Maybe then we could just be seen as people with different abilities like everyone else in this world.

What do you think about disabled people playing in mainstream sports?

To find out more about this story, you can check out the link below:

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/10/22/one-armed-teen-commits-to-university-florida-basketball-team/

Thanks for reading..

cr

Down Syndrome Cheerleader Sidelined

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

A lot of my posts seem to be about adaptive sports.  That’s probably because I think they’re something that keeps people who are disabled as active as possible, and that’s important to everyone’s overall well-being.  I had read about the Texas teen who has Down Syndrome and is a cheerleader at her high school.  As of recently, she’s been sidelined from cheer leading temporarily.

You may want to know why.  The strange thing is that the reason isn’t clear.  The only reason cited in the article was safety but, I’d want to know who are they trying to protect?  I really hope that Texas school officials can get her back cheering as soon as possible.  This is really important,  especially since it’s something according to the story, she loves to do.

It’s so important, especially in our teenage years, that we’re included in as many activities as possible.  That’s true for a student who is disabled as well.  Unless there’s some real reason she can’t participate in cheering, then I can’t understand why they wouldn’t let her continue doing so.  Hopefully, this will have a positive resolution for her in the near future so she can get back to her regular routine.

To read more about this story, check out the link below:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/09/26/cheerleader-with-down-syndrome-sidelined-for-safety-reasons/

Thanks for reading..

cr

My Karate Experience

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I know I’ve been talking a lot about adaptive sports, so, I figured in today’s post, I’d tell you a bit about how adaptive karate changed my life.

When I was about 17 years old, I was lucky enough for my mom to enroll me in Karate classes.  That’s right, Karate.  My mom had taken Karate herself for many years and I’m not exactly sure how, but I became interested in it too.  I do remember feeling a little nervous when I went to check out the class.  The kids all had different disabilities and they were much younger than me but, I decided it would probably be something exciting for me to do.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to do any sort of Karate since for the most part, I need my cane to get around outside my house.  I had no idea how much it would help me in the long run.  After a while, I was running around the Karate studio in the routine warm-ups the instructor had us doing and even sparring with him!

I didn’t realize how much I could actually do, not only in class with different stances and punches, but, it even started to help me outside of class.  My stamina increased and my balance got better! I couldn’t believe it! Yes, I was exhausted after class and did have some discomfort in my feet because I had to stand for longer periods than I was used to, and be barefoot, but, after a while, it wasn’t so uncomfortable.

I believe that staying as active as you can, even when you have a disability does help you in many ways.  No matter what your limitations may be, there are always options out there in the form of different activities for you to do and things for you to see.

What activity would you participate in if given the chance?

Thanks for reading..

cr

Derek Hough Dances with Brilynn Rakes

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I was watching “Dancing with the Stars” last night and heard that the “AT&T Spotlight Performance” was going to feature Derek Hough and a legally blind dancer.  If you follow my posts, I’ve talked a lot about different adaptive sports.  Adaptive sports are a way for people who are disabled to go out and participate in different activities such as basketball, bowling and martial arts.  I feel like it’s important to get out there and be as active as you can, no matter your limitations.

When, I saw Brilynn dance with Derek, it was amazing!  Hearing her story about how she adjusted to learning dance, because she can’t see in mirrors at the studio was just great.  She didn’t go to any adaptive dancing classes but, instead, made modifications to the way she learned to dance on her own.  The way she’s found alternatives to accomplishing her goals just shows how we can all be inventive when we have something we want to achieve.  She even has problems with her balance but, that didn’t stop her either.

No matter what obstacles she’s faced in life, she found a way to make her dream of becoming a dancer come true.  We shouldn’t limit ourselves in what we want to do.  There are always ways to reach our goals.  Sometimes it just takes the encouragement of those who love us most and a belief in ourselves to make it happen.

To find out more information about Brilynn Rakes you can go to the link below:

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/spotlight-performances/s16-brilynn-rakes-bio

Thanks for reading..

cr