Physically Disabled Athletes

The world of athletics is has generally been less available to physically disabled athletes. It is unfortunate that physically disabled athletes do not have the same opportunities that physically able athletes do. There are not any professional athletic organizations for disabled people that I know of. That just seems wrong. There are some amazing athletes out there who may wear a prosthetic leg or sit in a chair and it is very discriminative of society to not make it possible for those athletes to show the world their athletic abilities. Fully able athletes get fame and fortune, while the disabled participate in small leagues and organizations, never getting the chance to showcase their amazing talent. It is very impressive that someone who is physically disabled can overcome the hardships of being disabled in an able-bodied world, play a sport with a disability, and face the physical and psychological challenges of being a disabled athlete. This proves disabled athletes to be very able people, and they should get the chance to achieve possible dreams of being professional athletes. Many disabled people were not always disabled and could have been ambitious athletes who worked hard to achieve a dream in professional athletics, only to have those dreams crushed by society's hindrance and lack of support of disabled athletics. America is often thought of as the Land of Opportunity, but disabled athletes do not have as equal of opportunities as the majority of society does. Hopefully, one day these incredible athletes will have thier chance to be acknowledged and rewarded by society as well.

Murderball is a documentary about paraplegic athletes who play a form of rugby in wheelchairs. It reaches into the minds of these amazing athletes who must overcome so much to reach their dreams of winning the gold metal in the Paralypic Games. I would highly reccommend this movie to everyone. It really opens your eyes to the reality of these disabled athletes and also to thier true ability dispite being disabled.

E. Tucker
KIN 339I
M 7:00 pm