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The Ability Athletics Program: Rising Above

Penn State Ability Athletics program epitomizes ‘Rising Above’. From a concept promoted in 1999 by then Athletic Director Tim Curley, this Penn State program for students with disabilities quickly became the preeminent adaptive sports program of its time. Under the stewardship of Coach Teri Jordan who would coach and administer the program for the next twenty years until her retirement in 2019, the program would grow and flourish becoming the standard upon which subsequent collegiate adaptive programs would be modeled. During her tenure, Coach Jordan created vibrant on-campus intramural and recreational programs for Penn State’s physically disabled student population. At the same time, Coach Jordan developed several world class, elite athletes including multiple Paralympians and World Games medalists, rising above even the most optimistic expectations for the program as originally created.

The Athletes: Rising Above

Sports and physical disability are generally seen as opposites. Fortunately, a long list of persons with disabilities has proved that notion wrong by transforming themselves into athletes capable of competing at the highest levels of their sport. Here are a few among many including several courageous Penn State Ability Athletics student-athletes who personify rising above their physical challenges and limitations with a tough mental attitude and indomitable spirit.

MAGGIE REDDEN

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MAX ROHN

Meet a battlefield hero competing in Prince Harry's Invictus Games

KORTNEY CLEMONS

AMPED: A SOLDIER'S RACE FOR GOLD IN THE SHADOW OF WAR

When above-the-knee amputees walk, we generate seven to nine times the force of our body weight right into the point where the prosthesis meets our residual leg. For me, that's almost 1,500 pounds slamming into that socket.

For any amputee, learning to walk with a prosthetic leg is a painful, grueling ordeal. Soon after army medic Kortney Clemons, who lost his right leg to a roadside bomb in Baghdad, began the process, he had more than walking in mind. He wanted to run, and run fast.

Barely three years after the awful attack that changed his life forever, he aimed to join the elite corps of international athletes vying for gold in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. His account of his recovery from this catastrophic wound and his drive to become the first Iraq veteran to win Paralympic gold is one of the most remarkable, inspiring, and compelling stories in the history of sports.

ROHAN MURPHY

MISSION POSSIBLE WITH ERIC LEGRAND: ROHAN MURPHY

Overcoming adversity. No challenge is too great. Meet Eric LeGrand. Former Rutgers football player was on the path to the NFL when one tackle changed his life forever, leaving him paralyzed but could not break his spirit. Eric has channeled his endless zest for life by sharing stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the face of adversity in this new series. He'll connect with his network of athletes, celebrities, and friends to show that in life...any mission is possible.

Book ROHAN MURPHY To Speak At Your School Or Next Event

RJ SHIREY

PSU ABILITY ATHLETICS: SHIRLEY TO BE GUEST AT CHARITY EVENT

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PARALYMPIC CHAMPIONS

"Don't tell me you can't." Juan Jose Mendez Fernandez, Paralympic Cyclist

Trischa Zorn

She is the most decorated Paralympic athlete ever. Trischa, Paralympic Swimmer from America, has won 55 medals including 41 gold in the Paralympic games. In addition to being the most successful Paralympian ever Trischa holds many world records in her disability category. She was born with a rare condition called Aniridia which is characterized by abnormal development of the iris. She was legally blind since birth due to her rare condition. She was included in the Paralympic hall of fame in 2012. And, disabled swimmers in the USA are given an award in her name – Trischa L Zorn Award.

Arunima Sinha

She is an Indian sportsperson and mountain climber. She was a national volleyball player and football player before being amputated after an accident. The amputation made her body disabled but could not break her spirit. Arunima started her mountain climbing career after her amputation. She has scaled Mt. Everest, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Mt. Kosciusko, Mt. Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, and, Mount Vinson. These are the highest peak of the seven continents of the world.

James Anthony Abbott

He is more popularly known as Jim Abbott. Jim was an American baseball pitcher who was born without right hand. It is important to note that Jim was part of a baseball team with all able-bodied players competing against a team of the able-bodied player. He did not use any prosthetic hand but played his role very well in the team. In addition to his other awards and achievements, Jim Abbott bagged a gold medal in a demonstration event at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Esther Vergeer

Upon her retirement from sports in 2013 Esther Vergeer was said to be THE most dominant player in professional sports. Esther was a wheelchair tennis player who also happened to be a wheelchair basketball player at the beginning of her career. She has some amazing records in her name which would be very tough, if not impossible, for other athletes to break. Over her entire sporting career, she won 695 singles matches and lost only 25. Moreover, she won 441 double matches and lost only 35. For almost 10 years straight she was undefeated. Esther Vergeer’s body might be disabled due to Vascular Myelopathy since her childhood but her spirit remained untouched by the disability.