Did you know that the number 1 ranked college wrestler in the United States wrestles without a leg and a South African runner ran in the Olympics with amputated legs? They have, Anthony Robles and Oscar Pistorius both faced a disability and became one of the best in their sport and were able to do this with determination. Anthony Robles and Oscar Pistorius demonstrate many similarities and differences in areas of facing a disability and how they use determination.
First of all Anthony Robles and Oscar Pistorius both faced a disability. They both had a problem with their leg(s). Anthony was born without a leg at birth and Oscar was born with a fibular hemimelia which means he was born without a fibula. The bone that connects the knee to your ankle. Oscar had to get his leg amputated between the knee and the ankle when he was 11 months old. Secondly, both Anthony and Oscar are really good at their sport even though they have to face a disability. Anthony Robles is the number poll ranked wrestler in America after beating Matt Mcdonough the previous number 1 ranked player in the d...
As human beings, we like to make sure never to offend or judge anyone. We even have sayings like “never judge a book by its cover”. A metaphor that is often said whenever trying not to judge someone based on their outward appearance; however, it is not often that people practice what they preach. We judge people based on external factors within seconds. Even though we know what people see on the outside is not a defining factor or who we are as people. Nancy Mairs, author of On Being a Cripple, has to live through this every day. She knows this truth very well, and lives proudly with the fact that as she is disabled. Mairs is admirable for choosing to call herself a “cripple” and not be ashamed of it. Though the word is derogatory and a word that is avoided by society, Mairs identifies herself as a cripple because that is what she is. In explaining her disability, she says, “I haven’t always been crippled, ... to be whole of limb is ... infinitely more pleasant and useful. and if that knowledge leaves me open to bitterness … the physical soundness I once enjoyed is well worth the occasional stab of regret” (Mairs 186). What really
middle of paper ... ... Their disabilities have made them stronger, more determined people. Mariatu Kamara and Ishmael Beah’s stories show that no matter how hard life can get, no matter how hard or how many times life knocks one down, he or she can always pick him or herself up and turn their life around for the better. Works Cited Beah, Ishmael.
Oscar was six when he had his first fight against his cousin, and failed miserably he never imagined himself becoming a boxer. He was forced to go to the gym and practice since boxing has been a tradition in their family. He discovered that his left hand was very powerful and began to train on it. In 1992, he made it to the Olympics and promised his mother a gold medal which he achieved with victory.
In David Birnbaum’s “The Catbird Seat”, the author gives his readers his perspective of a handicapped person’s experiences (228). Birnbaum lost the use of this legs during a car accident and is now only able to move through the use of a wheelchair (Kirszner, Mandell 228). Although Birnbaum’s disability is physical, “Disabilities can manifest as a physical or cognitive issue, coming from a range of factors – genetics, accident, external circumstances, or advancing age”(Bowman 6); therefore, most people who have a disability are not born with it and in some situations a disability can be eliminated with medical treatment and surgeries
This documentary portrays the life of wheelchair-bound individuals that are professional rugby players. A few of the players take the spotlight in this independent film such as; Mark Zupan, Joe Soares, and Keith Cavill. These particular individuals were chosen as the icons of this movie because of their phenomenal spirit and determination. The most heartfelt and inspirational story was of Mark Zupan who plays for the United States Quad Rugby team. He was the victim of a tragic car accident provoked by his best friend who was driving while intoxicated. This misfortune left him paralyzed from the waist down while his friend was unharmed. Zupan is an amazing individual that was able to forgive his friend and still involve him in his life. He
2). Some people may not be able to do things that others can, but that does not mean they are unable to accomplish those things that others can. We seem to live in a world where the able-bodied among us are considered normal, and everyone else must work harder to be considered normal. This way of thinking distracts the way we see and talk to others, and the words we choose to use. Nobody is broken. I remember a friend casually describing my cousin Michael as broken because he was in a wheel chair and could not move his legs. I remember thinking, “He is not broken; he just cannot walk.” I was disappointed that someone would even label him that way. I do not think of Michael as disabled or broken, he just cannot walk. Michael is tall, funny, and always has a joke to tell me. Michael needs to use a wheelchair, but that does not define
What comes into one’s mind when they are asked to consider physical disabilities? Pity and embarrassment, or hope and encouragement? Perhaps a mix between the two contrasting emotions? The average, able-bodied person must have a different perspective than a handicapped person, on the quality of life of a physically disabled person. Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, and Harriet McBryde Johnson are three authors who shared their experiences as physically handicapped adults. Although the three authors wrote different pieces, all three essays demonstrate the frustrations, struggles, contemplations, and triumphs from a disabled person’s point of view and are aimed at a reader with no physical disability.
Paralympics Games: this events is a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities, including impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, vision impaired, and intellectual impairment. The opening ceremony for this year’s games attracted more than two million
...beld person as equal and for society to take responsibility for their ignorance and become more open minded and accepting of those who may have less functioning ability or mental awareness of what is going on around themselves. Only recently has the (dis)Abeld community been given the spotlight through television shows such as Bones, or House, Or CSI have those with disabilities been given a platform to push over society’s negative stereotypes of ignorance and shown how despite limitations, those with limitations can indeed live happy and healthy lives. Despite much of the stigma that still exists towards those who are (dis)Abled, much success has been made and continues to be made because of the selfless determination of a select few who are determined not to be restrained by society’s ignorance and to make a difference in the world around them and for others.
The Special Olympics date back all the way to the year 1968. Many see these Games as a time to honor someone who is able to “overcome” a task, but author William Peace sees this as an insulting portrayal of people with disabilities. Peace is a multidisciplinary school teacher and scholar that uses a wheel chair and writes about the science behind disabilities and handicaps. As a physically handicapped individual, Peace is able to observe a negative portrayal of disabled persons. In his article titled, “Slippery Slopes: Media, Disability, and Adaptive Sports,” William Peace offers his own personal insight, utilizes several statistics regarding handicaps, as well as numerous rhetorical appeals in order to communicate to the “common man”
The people with disabilities are portrayed as hardworking. They have people surrounding them that are accepting and encourage them to do their best. The support helps them build up courage to overcome their disability. It can take years, but the effort will not be
The history of the disabled has had treatment that have been unreasonable . In the 1800’s, People with disabilities were forced to enter asylums or institution for their entire lives.
The word “disability” is an efficacious one, as far as words go. It manages to convey both a technical definition (“lack of adequate potency, vigor, or physical or mental capacity; incapacity”) as well as a general sense of the lack of glamour or romanticism found in the world of disabilities (Wai Au and Man David, 2006). Maybe it is because we as a society are preoccupied with both body image, expeditious fine-tunes, and disabilities are an affront to both (Wai Au and Man David, 2006). People with disabilities incline to survive in the world that is largely made for the “able-bodied” and it is perceive that they still want to live a life which is no more different from ordinary people (Rao, 2004). However, society has viewed this population
Firstly, Nick Vujicic has mental and physical strength. Imagine a situation of being born without limbs, no hands to experience touch, no legs to walk. Nick had a hard time when he was a child, and his life has filled with difficulties and hardships. When Nick attended school, he started to face a lot of problems. He began to be more lonely, rejected and bullied. That was because of his physical differences. Like most children , he was vulnerable in his pre-teen years and many kids hurt him when they asked him “why don’t you have arms and legs?” (Vujicic, 2010, p. 17). He decided to stay home to avoid negative comments from others. After a period of time, Nick became able to make relationships with other kids at school, by telling them about his physi...
Growing up, Oscar was raised in a very active family. He became involved in many types of activities, such as water polo and rugby. These were two of his favorite sports to participate in. In June o...