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Local athlete Wayne Washington will make the keynote address at the opening ceremonies for the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, May 30. Washington, a former Paralympian was born with osteogenesis imperfecta which causes fragile bones that break easily. Washington was born in Brooklyn and endured a rocky upbringing in hospitals and foster homes because his parents felt they where unable to take care of him. As a child, he endured 35 bone fractures and 21 surgeries. "I started breaking bones at age one," he said. At the time of his childhood the medical profession felt that patients such as Washington should be sheltered in institutions and isolated from the out- side world. The first part of his life was spent at St. Agnes Convalescent home in White Plains, N.Y. where Catholic nuns took care of him. When he was 16 years old, the hospital closed down and Washington was moved into three foster homes and one group home and started attending the Human Resources School in Albertson, N.Y. The Henry Viscardi School at the National Center for Disability Services. There he was introduced to sports and found a love for weightlifting. Although doctors warned of the danger lifting would be to his body, Washington refused to stop. "My weightlifting helped me develop my body and I haven't had a fracture since I started," he said. With encouragement he got from the faculty at the school and a rise in his self-esteem, he was able to learn to read and write. Weightlifting came easy because of the upper body strength he had developed pushing his wheelchair up hills at St. Agnes. His career began at age 18 with his first bench press of 185 pounds, when his weight was 96 pounds. Washington trained hard and started winning competitions. After the setback of losing at the 1984 International Games for the Disabled (now called the Paralympics) he came back to win a gold medal representing the United States at the 1993 Strokes- Manville Games in England. Then he suffered another devastating blow when a Paralympics official ruled that weight- lifters could not have more than a 20 degree angle at their elbows when their arms were fully extended. Washington could not bend his right arm less than 29 degrees. He was disqualified because of a physical limitation, from the Paralympics, a program whose inception was prompted specifically to accommodate physical limitations. "They didn't even try to make another category for people like myself," said Washington. He took his battle to Court and although the ruling is still in effect, He hopes bringing attention to it will help future athletes. Washington, now 48 years-young is currently a motivational speaker bringing his message to schools and prisons throughout the country and has a tape and CD available presenting a talk he gave at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Freeport, N.Y. and an interview. "I'm excited about speaking at the Games," he said, "I'll be able to share my vision and my dream about never giving up and always looking forward." |