Earlier this year I was presented with an opportunity to volunteer with ParaSport Spokane. ParaSport Spokane is an extracurricular program designed to provide training and sports programs for children and adults that suffer from physical disabilities. My anatomy and physiology professor first presented the opportunity in our first lecture, and though it aids me in gathering experience for physical therapy (my intended career path), it also presented an opportunity to serve my community and learn something new.

I was unsure of what volunteering for such a program would entail; my professor, a charismatic man, made it sound fun and ensured me that the athletes were completely relatable. I still did not know what I should expect- how was I supposed to properly stabilize a wheelchair? How would I help a fallen athlete back into his or her chair? But more importantly, how was I supposed to encourage an athlete I could not directly relate to?

I was surprised to find such a diverse group of athletes. We have young children, pre-adolescent children, and several adults in our program. I believe this to be a strength of the program; the athletes have a way to identify with each other. Identifying the challenges they face creates a universal appreciation for each other; never before have I seen such positivity towards one another. It is refreshing to see adults, children, and teenagers working equally together for the purpose of becoming a better athlete and a better friend.

When I watch these athletes and see how they understand and value each other, I feel a deep longing to be a part of what they have- a genuine connection. I watch them encourage each other in a way that is truly supportive, something I have not yet observed in a collegiate setting. It seems to me that their authenticity promotes very healthy interpersonal relationships, and I have come to the conclusion that encouragement and authentic support is vital to a functioning team or group of people.

ParaSport Spokane athletes have demonstrated this to me in full. I once participated in an exercise and did not perform to what I thought my expectations should be. The expectations may come from “gym pressure”- that I should be lifting heavier than I can- but either way, I seem to always feel the need to say, “oh gosh I’m so weak,” or “man, I can’t do this right now, so lame,” or “I’m so tired right now,” or some other attempt to explain myself. Instead of receiving a sideward glance or a snort of some sort in response to my lame explanation, I was looked directly in the eye by an athlete and told, “we all have to start somewhere. Don’t stress it.” I felt my defense relax somewhat, because I then understood I didn’t have to explain myself to them. They respected me for who I am as I respected them for who they were. And what we are, are simple humans in different circumstances. The feelings we have don’t vary; we all want the same basic things, but how we make sense of what we are given is what determines a true athlete and a true support system. These athletes have recognized that which is necessary to building strong character and preserving integrity. It is not the disability that sets them apart. Their recognition of what ultimately matters is what sets them apart.

I can’t argue that their physical abilities are extraordinary; the strength demonstrated during the conditioning practices is undeniable, and while I admire them for it, I also admire them for a different kind of strength. The mental strength I have observed in these athletes has made me more introspective and I like to believe I appreciated the things I took for granted before I volunteered with ParaSport Spokane, but I do not know if I really understood what that meant. I still cannot directly relate, but my admiration for them has aided me in empathizing with them. The athletes of Parasport Spokane are some of the most well-rounded athletes I have encountered.

I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with such an extraordinary group of people, and I am grateful to my professor for giving me the opportunity. He has helped set the example for these athletes and dedicates an honorable amount of time to ensuring the wellbeing of these athletes. As a final note, I encourage everyone to view parasports not as a category for athletes with disabilities, but rather as a very talented group of athletes that are as equally committed and dedicated to their sport as an athlete with no physical disability.