Unifying Sports

Across the world, there is one language that all humans can understand; that is the language of sports. From soccer to American football, baseball to cricket, and from track and field to swimming, the love of sports is able to bring joy and light to all participants.

For many, sports are a way to get humans to connect with each other, develop social skills, and excel in their athletic abilities through training and hard work. People from all walks of life share one love for sports.

For some, participating in sports may be quite the challenge. Those with physical or cognitive impairments often do not have the luxury of competing in sports with such ease. 

Growing up, my high school offered a Unified Sports club which brought together student-athletes and cognitively impaired student-athletes alike onto one even playing field. It gave the me the opportunity to get to know my peers in an athletic setting and educate those on what I love doing- playing sports. 

Most days after school (when I wasn't in the middle of a sports season), we would meet out on the soccer field or in the gym and play sports through the Unified Sports program. This club gave students who are typically unable to participate in competitive high school sports the chance to compete with elite athletes in an inclusive and light hearted manner.

Nothing could replace the feeling of a packed gym cheering on the Unified Sports team during one of their competition days. Sports was the language that allowed us to connect with our impaired classmates and give them the opportunity to be recognized for their athletic achievements. 

Athletes with any sort of impairment should be given the opportunity to shine in a landscape that is created for them to thrive. 

Elite athletes come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them may even have a physical impairment that sets them apart from the stereotypical understanding of athletes. 

Wheelchair basketball does not gather the same popularity as basketball, power soccer or blind soccer are unheard of compared to soccer, and many other adaptive sports go unnoticed compared to your normal set of televised sports programs. 

Often, the Paralympics are the only appreciated and televised form of adaptive sports that allows impaired athletes to compete at the elite level.

And to make things worse, these athletes are showcased by an insensitive side of media in a manner that objectifies impaired athletes to "inspire" non-impaired athletes. It's sickening.

Athletes who are impaired should never be used to serve as a reason for non-impaired athletes to go and do something. It is unfair that those with such impairments are seen as less despite the hard work to get to an elite sports setting. All athletes alike should be praised for the work and dedication it took to succeed. 

While college has been insanely busy, I do wish I could go back and be involved with the Unified Sports club at school. The way that sports can bring everyone together is unlike any other language humans know. Every person or athlete deserves the opportunity to shine no matter what challenges they may have to overcome to get there.