My experience with Athletes Serving Athletes

Two years ago I decided to get involved in a special running program called Athletes Serving Athletes because it provides an excellent opportunity for many great runners and kids with disabilities.  They use a wheelchair for racing called a “jogger”.  It is a chair that has three wheels that ride down the paths and walkways much better than a manual chair.  People who are amazing athletic runners volunteer to push others with physical disabilities strapped in the joggers.  There is a giant handle for them to use to help them hold on.  My father and I trained as a team so that we could be prepared for races through our community where we live. I am really impressed that my dad is strong enough to run behind and push me.  The most important reason why I chose to become part of ASA is that I enjoy running and participating with other people.  My teammates have been doing such a wonderful job learning how to run with the jogger. It is always great exercise and it would of course be a reasonable way to improve overall fitness.  Lots of teenagers and younger adults who are fantastic at running are welcome to join this club so they can train on how to push disabled kids in wheelchairs who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate in races like people without disabilities do.  This makes us happy and helps maintain more focus on our strengths instead of weaknesses.  The leader of my big group, Stephanie Blades, indicates that we’re hoping to have numerous people get into the Howard County group.  Therefore, there are applications available for new Wingmen to complete.  My dad and I have a great time together enjoying athletic events, including football, biking, and swimming besides running.  It helps me to stay busy and make new friends in my life. I am obviously hoping to have my peers who are successful runners sign up to be on my team since it is one of the most popular programs in Maryland that includes individuals with and without physical impairments.  

I remember seeing a famous team named Team Hoyt, which is similar to what my dad and I’ve done.  There is a man named Dick Hoyt who spends most of the time with his son, Rick Hoyt, who has cerebral palsy and can’t talk in a normal way.  Their story inspired me because my dad and I like to run together.  Running together has been the best part of my life, just like Dick and Rick Hoyt.