For this entry I decided to focus on athletes with disabilities. In particular I chose a couple high school wrestlers from Lincoln-West High School in Cleveland, Ohio who each has disabilities of their own but were able to overcome them and be successful on the mat as well as becoming close friends.
When Leroy Sutton was 11 he was in a horrific accident where he was pulled beneath a train and lost both of his legs as a result. Before his senior year of high school he transferred to Lincoln-West where he met Dartanyon Crockett who shared some of his struggles. He was legally blind. They became very good friends and trained and wrestled together. Crockett would also carry Sutton on his back into every match.
Dartanyon, while wrestling at 189 pounds went on to win the league championship with a record of 26-3. Leroy didn't achieve as much success on the mat but was a vital part of the team and his will alone inspired other wrestlers on the team.
Stories like these are what make people realize that their everyday struggles are nothing compared to the struggles these athletes face on and off the mat. It really puts things in perspective for me as far as when I say I am having a bad day. I couldn't imagine not having legs or being legally blind. So when people say they are having a bad day it pales in comparison to what these two go through on a daily basis. For these two young men to overcome everything they have to everyday and still be successful athletes is incredible to me and inspiring. So the next time you think you are having a bad day, just think about those who are so much less fortunate than you and don't even have the basic abilities of being able to walk or see. It really puts things in perspective for me and makes me realize how fortunate I am to have those abilities and the chance to get a college education. Both of these wrestlers, while graduating high school have dreams about going to college but they just don't have the finances. So the main point to take from this post is to be grateful for everything you have everyday; because Leroy Sutton and Dartanyon Crockett are more than grateful for what they have.
Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=4371874
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This is a great story. Thanks for sharing this link. Did you know these two athletes? I really liked this statement that you made: "So when people say they are having a bad day it pales in comparison to what these two go through on a daily basis."
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