Blog #10: Reflection

Over this course, I have learned so much. On the first day, I really didn't know much about disabled sports and this course has taught me so much and has broadened my knowledge on disabilities in sports. I learned about the Paralympics, how it came about, the guidelines, and about different athletes and their stories. One story that specifically stuck with me was about athlete Noelle Lambert. Noelle played lacrosse at UMASS Lowell and lost her leg in an accident, instead of throwing in the towel, she became a track and field athlete in the Paralympics. This is a really touching story and made me think of the word resilience because she was able to come back better and stronger not in her main sport but in a different sport! 

This class has changed my mindset towards the value of sports for individuals with a disability in many ways. Disabled athletes can compete just as hard as athletes with no disabilities. My mindset was never fixed that disabled athletes were not as good as non-disabled athletes, but after this course, I've seen my mindset shift to if you want something you CAN do it. Competition is still just as competitive and the drive and talent are still at the same level. Just because an athlete has a disability doesn't mean they can't compete at the highest level and win gold. If anything athletes with disabilities work harder to prove to others and themselves that it is possible to do hard things even with something setting you back. 

I believe my mindset about disabilities and their impact on society has shifted after this course. I have learned so much about different athletes and their sports. I have read countless articles and watched so many videos that have taught me what it really means to be an athlete. I now see disabled athletes as any other athlete who needs to face a challenge they must overcome. Being an athlete to me now is so much more meaningful after learning about other athlete's stories. It's being able to overcome challenges, have grit, and be able to want more than anyone else. I have also gained a lot of respect and appreciation for disabled athletes because of everything they have overcome to get to where they are today. 

With the knowledge I have now, there are a few ways that I can promote disabled sports. I am going to find time to work with advocates for autism at Stockton University. This is a club at Stockton and I would love to gain hands-on experience and be a part of something bigger than myself. Keeping up to date with disabled athletes in the news by reading and watching videos on their athletic journey. I also want to get more involved with the disabled sports community to see what they do around my area. I would love to be more involved and be an advocate for such a wonderful organization. I also want people to be included in sports and advocate for more accessibility on campus. I hope we can break barriers and be able to create a more inclusive space so everyone can be an athlete in their OWN way!