Today’s new game is pummel the old cripple guy. I “fenced” in the Division Championships today and managed to go from a 5 seed to last place. It took a lot or hard work, but I got there. Of course with the possible exception of one of my opponents I am old enough to be the father of any of them.
At least I did not get blanked in any of my bouts. That is something, but it does not help the frustration factor.
A real high point was talking to Scott Rodgers about wheelchair. As I said before, he was just named to the Paralympics team for Beijing. Scott is my inspiration. After he broke his neck they said he would never walk again. Score another one for the pig headed. He does walk, but he cannot fence with the able bodied, very similar to my situation. We talked about a lot of the same feelings and frustrations.
OK, so I started to tear up and I said I just wanted to be like I was before. He nodded and told me that is one of the hardest things to get past. Sure, what he lost with his broken neck will never come back, but he has been working on it for several years. He is such a cool guy. I can’t wait to train with him.
Back to today, may coach watched my last bout and said I did well. I lost, but I was doing the things we have been practicing, just that mind body connection thing won’t react fast enough to work. Several times today I looked at my hand and said, “would you move??”
We had fun today. I told my opponents that it is not nice to make the old man cry.
OK, I am totally exhausted and not sure if I want to sell my equipment or not.
06-08-2008 06:55 PM