The big hoopla of the Paris 2024 Olympics seems long gone. I have always watched the Olympics religiously in the past. This year the awkward and sacrilegious opening ceremony put a damper on our family's enthusiasm. However, we did end up watching our favorite events of swimming, gymnastics, many track and field events, the marathons, diving, rowing and cycling. Once again I was in awe of the abilities of the athletes. We did not bother watching the closing ceremony, as we had better things to do.
Then my husband Kevin started watching the Paralympics. When he first mentioned that he had found a new genre to watch, I too wanted to see what he was so excited about. I have to say, that I was drawn to it the minute I started watching some events as well. These athletes take the cake! Even though, we are both Occupational Therapists, I had never heard of some of the events these athletes participate in. There are things like Club Throwing, Wheelchair Rugby, Blind Football, to mention a few.
I have always been partial to swimming. Not because I can even swim well, but because our son was a great swimmer, who competed in an Interclub team every summer. The flawless pool entries, splashing water, smooth swim moves, and turns mesmerized me. But that has nothing on what the Paralympic athletes accomplish! Many swim with no legs, no arms, or are blind. The drive and will power of them is remarkable. They seem to speed through the water just as fast as Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky do.
Being on this journey of living with breast cancer, has definitely given me a new appreciation for living with loss and pushing myself harder. Until watching the Paralympics, I would never have considered myself disabled. Yet, that is what I now am. I don't have the stamina and strength I used to have. I am literally on a new playing field and that is okay. I identify more with the Paralympic athletes than I did with the Olympic athletes. I have found a new tribe I am a part of and it feels great! The inspiration I have garnered from the Paralympic athletes has helped me to push myself harder.
The after effects of my surgery left me with balance problems, body image issues, and scars. The side effects from the chemotherapy infusions I receive, have given me neuropathy in hands and feet, dry skin, hair loss, heart burn, slower reflexes, and decreased endurance. But all these symptoms are nothing compared to what I have seen some of the Paralympic athletes endure. I am in awe of the cyclists, who ride with only one leg, the swimmers who have only their torso to move through the pool with, and the Club Throwers who have to use some kind of glue to keep the club from falling out of their hands. The amount of preparation and help they need in order to participate in their events, has put me to shame if I complain about my "new me".
What also spoke to me, was the pure joy that the Paralympic athletes exude. When they completed their event they seemed so happy and excited. I want to be like that too! Every time I finish a workout, I want to praise God that I was able to. I chose to do the exercise, but God is the one who gives me my next breath. I am in awe of what the Paralympians accomplish with their many varied disabilities, but I'm even more in awe of God who created the human body to have the ability to perform even with severe impaired function!
I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
Psalm 13:6
God bless until next time,
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