|
fruitful. The rule still stands today but Washington hopes that his efforts with this issue will pave the way for others in the furure. Although there are other competitions for the disabled that Washington can participate in, his fear is that the International Paralympic Committee has set a precedent for discrimination against the disabled in an event specifically designed for the disabled. Overcoming obstacles and challenges has led Washington to adopt a strong sense of self-worth which he now shares with others in his motivational lectures at schools and prisons throughout the country. "The message that I would like to give to the universe is that despite what happens to you in your life, anything is possible," says Washington. "We're all going to suffer some sort of tragedy in our lives, but the most important part is finding a way to overcome those setbacks." Washington's philosophy is that each individ- ual is unique and there are reasons for the set of circumstances that comprise that individual. For students pursuing a certain career, Washington would say that if their abilities are present and their intentions are good, they will probably end up having an opportunity to make a dif- ference in their life. But, one cannot force life in the direction that it is not meant to be traveling. As Washington believes, "You're talents are God's gift to you. What you do with those talents are your gifts to God. If you don't do anything productive with the talents you have, it's no one's fault but your own." It has been decades since Mr. Washington has been to a medical doctor for his osteogenesis imperfecta. Nowadays, Washington mostly visits a chiropractor for ultrasound treatment for any weightlifting pain he gets in the tendons of his forearms. Washington's message for the new generation of health- care providers is, "Doctors have a responsibility to encourage disabled people to pursue their goals and try their best at being human and at being athletes. There's nothing wrong with talking to a disabled person about what sports or activities they like and then working with them in their care to help make their desires more accessible. |