| After I completed
four months of outpatient therapy, I was being released. During these months
I visited patients, made new friends and learned about other activities
that Shepherd offered.
I could not just cut myself off from Shepherd, so in May 2000 I became a volunteer so I could continue seeing my friends, help others and do peer support. I started to work in the gift shop on Wednesday afternoons and helped with other functions such as parties, luncheons, art classes, etc. It was attending a party in October 2000 that I was introduced to many athletes who were getting ready to go to Sydney, Australia for the 2000 Paraolympics.
I was in awe meeting athletes in track, swimming and fencing. I could understand how track and swimming was done, but fencing in a wheelchair? I had no clue about fencing. I never even thought about it or ever see it on TV, only in the movies. While mingling with the athletes, I saw pictures of them on a big screen TV showing their training. That's when I saw wheelchair fencing for the first time. After meeting the coach, I said I would like to try fencing. He said "bend over". I did and was curious if this was a Polish custom. He said category A. Well, whatever it meant, I would learn later on. I was happy for the accomplishments of some athletes after Sydney, getting medals and setting new world records. In January 2001, I got a call from the coach and he wanted to know how serious I was to learn fencing. I was 50 years young then and didn't know if my body could handle a new sport, but I told him I was willing to try.
Thus was the beginning of a new venture in my life. The team was very supportive to another new member and me. I now understood that I would be classified as category A because of my level of disability. I shared the excitement of learning something new to my patients and encouraged them to watch our Saturday practices. It was in late March 2001, my twelfth week of fencing, that I was entering my first U.S. tournament in Louisville, Ky. Getting to travel is one of the advantages of this sport. Everyone cheered me on including my Mother and sister who flew up from Florida to see me compete. I was so excited about watching and competing that I didn't even realize I won my first five point bout in the pool round. In the two days in Louisville, I watched AB's(able bodied) fence and understood more about scoring, etc. in the wheelchair division. Women need to learn two weapons, so it is foil and epee for me. I took a fourth place in epee and a fifth place in foil. I was so proud and happy I didn't come in last. As time went by, I entered local tournaments for the practice of competing. I got a bronze and a 4th place in one tournament. We headed to Salt Lake City, Utah in October 2001 for another U.S. tournament. I got my first U.S. bronze medal for epee and took a fourth place in foil.
Palm Springs, Ca. was next in December 2001. I got two fourth place medals. Gradually, I was preparing to go with the team to Europe and fence my first international. March 2002, we were on our way to Seville, Spain. This was my first trip ever to Europe. We arrived in time to do a little sightseeing. Many places are not wheelchair accessible, so we had to adapt. I am not ashamed of my 26 out of 34 for epee or my 31 out of 34 in foil results. I knew I would see these athletes again. In April 2002, Shepherd Center had a dinner for all the sport teams and present awards to outstanding athletes. I was very surprised to get the "Most Improved" award for my efforts. I am proud of this award and give thanks to the dedication of my coach and teammates who helped me get this honor.
U.S. Summer Nationals were in late June 2002 in Greenville, SC. I came home with two bronze medals.
Then July 2002, we were on our way to Warsaw, Poland. I didn't do well in foil as I was ill with a kidney infection. However, I did recover enough to fence epee. I think I was sixteenth out of twenty-one. Well, no medals, but someday. I am very grateful to Shepherd Center for promoting sports and to my coach and teammates for their patience and support. I am very proud to be a representative of the Shepherd Fencers in the US. and Europe. My long term goal is to be part of the 2004 US Paraolympic team going to Athens, Greece. I will be going on 54 years young by then, but for now I am taking one tournament at a time. I will continue to encourage everyone I meet to try something new and not just sit around in a wheelchair. It is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. It is also fun to compete and meet other athletes from around the world. Everyday can be a new adventure. So go for it! For the balance of this year, I will be entering two more tournaments, one in Orlando, Fl. in October and in November we will be in Austin, Tx. If you have read my story and are interested in watching any tournaments, you can email me and I will send you information on dates and location.
I would like to chat with anyone who participates in wheelchair sports too. Share your story so that we may encourage others, and let them know that sports are fun and rewarding. My email address is: Walkinwheels@aol.com I will update this page after competitions. |
