Semester Reflection

    Before taking this class, I did not understand the challenges and processes disabled athletes had to go through to be able to compete on a professional level. I knew nothing about ADA, IPC, and other aspects that have a significant impact on who they let compete, not just on the professional level. There are so many levels of competition, skills, and dedication involved, as well as the barriers that these individuals face. I had mostly thought disability sport was just a modified version of traditional sports to focus on the disability rather than their athletic capabilities. My opinions on disability in sports have evolved to more greatly appreciate the impact it has on our society today.
    In class, I have learned that adaptive sports are not merely adaptations; they are highly competitive and an empowering group of human beings. These athletes have a diverse range of sports available, from wheelchair basketball to adaptive track and field. With so many different types of sports, these athletes can indulge in there are also so many rules that come along with it. I also learned that there are so many different kinds of equipment created for each sport, and this adaptive equipment must follow strict criteria that differ through each adaptive sport to create fairness amongst everyone. Paralympic sports have come such a long way from Rome, Italy, in the 60's to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics.
   Next, this class has altered my mindset about disabled sports. I can now see sports as a useful tool for inclusion and making people feel honored about the person they are. Yes, there is a level of competition at high levels, but there also is room for making people feel good about the person they are and who they want to become through sports. Participating in these sports can improve physical health, emotional well-being, and increase the number of social connections one has. Disability should never define a person's capabilities; taking a deeper dive into learning about disabled sports altered how I see stereotypes and challenges that are associated with people with disabilities.
   My association of disability and society has also been altered throughout the course of this class. Many of these limitations that people with disabilities experience aren't due to their own barriers but rather the barriers that society creates. An example of these would be not providing a ramp for someone who is in a wheelchair and is unable to go up stairs. Some people are also just unaware of how society affects these people; that's why society needs to start doing better in funding, awareness, and inclusivity. Even though this class focused primarily on sports, it opened my eyes to so many other aspects of life that are affected for someone who experiences physical barriers. In the future, I want to be able to promote more inclusion among these groups of people. I want to be able to support and adapt programs possible if given the opportunity. I also would like to volunteer for events to help fundraise for a cause, for things like the Special Olympics. One way I have already done that is by working at Jersey Mike's. On the day of giving this year, all of our proceeds went to supporting Special Olympic athletes, and it felt like an honor to be a part of such a great company. I hope I can continue to give back and support anyone who wants to grow in the realm of disabled sports.
Jersey Mike's Donates All Sales To 2026 Special Olympics USA Games - New Jersey Business Magazine

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