Golf and other hobbies of mine that tend to surprise people
Just because I'm in a wheelchair doesn't mean I sit at home all the time
The other weekend, I was invited to a golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and I rarely turn down an invitation for a good time, so naturally, I channeled my inner Rory Gilmore, donned my cutest golfing outfit, and asked my official caddy to tote my clubs around behind me as I maneuvered my golf cart over the fairway, whacking holes in one as I went!
Well, maybe that’s not exactly what happened. It was actually a really cool fundraising event held by a local business to benefit We Carry Kevan, the nonprofit organization I work for. As a representative, I was invited to the lunch they hosted afterward.
As I entered the clubhouse and announced that I was there for the JK O’Donnell’s golf tournament, several men in polo shirts and Titleist ball caps could not hide their confusion or skepticism. After all, a wheelchair user with SMA type 2 doesn’t look capable of lifting, much less accurately swinging, a real golf club. Was this cute little disabled girl sure she was in the right place?
Confidence is key, people, so I bravely smiled and asked which way to the … um, court? Wait, field? Hole? Tee? Good grief, I’d blown my cover. As much as I wanted to be offended by their presumption and apparent prejudice, I just couldn’t be because I had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, and everyone knew it.
Oh, well. At least the lunch was good.
‘You’ve done that?’
This experience made me think of all the fun activities I have done in the past that would probably surprise some people.
My earliest attempt at athleticism was T-ball, but it quickly became obvious that I didn’t like getting dirty, so I moved on to cheerleading. One year of pompoms and big hair was enough to get that out of my system!
Honestly, I am a lot like Rory Gilmore in that I’ve always preferred reading and writing to engaging in physical competitions, so I didn’t pursue the adaptive sports world. However, I’ve known some amazing disabled athletes who play soccer, basketball, and other crazy, dangerous sports; I’m impressed by their skill and passion, and I’m thankful for the trailblazers who have made these sports available and respected around the world.
Two wonderfully sneaky ways people got me to do physical activity in elementary school were through swimming and ballet. In water, I float remarkably well and move so much more freely than on dry ground, which has always made me suspicious that I am part-mermaid. On land, I could stand (until I was 10) with a walker on those … what do you call ‘em? Oh, feet! So whenever I put on a leotard, tutu, and leg warmers, I could do all the ballet positions and say them in French.
As I’ve gotten older, I have dared to do some amusement park rides, hot air balloon rides, tubing, hiking, riding in a speed boat, and riding in a two-seater airplane. I wouldn’t consider any of these “extreme sports,” but I do think some people react to this insight like the golfers did: “Really? You’ve done that?” Absolutely, I’ve done all that, and if given the opportunity, I would do most of it again, and maybe add zip-lining, paragliding, kayaking, and riding in a helicopter to the list. (Challenge extended!) Just because I’m in a wheelchair does not mean that I sit at home and play it safe all the time — and neither should you.
For people with rare diseases like mine, it is important to know our physical limits and guard the safety and security of our bodies. For example, parts of my spine are fused and I have rods in my back, I cannot bear weight on my feet and legs, and I have low stability in my neck and torso, so I must avoid things that will jerk me around, end with an abrupt impact, or compromise my balance. Being brave does not mean being reckless! But being careful and cautious doesn’t always mean that you have to miss out, either.
If there is something you’ve always dreamed of doing, do your research, engage the assistance of your friends and family, and then find a way to do it. Get out of your predictable comfort zone and do something that causes others to do a double-take and reconsider what they believed was impossible.
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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