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the abled disabled
finding a voice for athletes wanting to play the sports they love
return
enforce
meet
learn
reflect
This experience has become one of the most rewarding moments in my 22 years of life. I not only learned more than I could ever imagine about athletes with disabilities, but I learned more about the opportunities available for those athletes. My mind has opened up even more than it was before.
The passion behind this aspect of the life of an athlete is of high importance to so many people. It was so strong that I came in contact with some of the most giving and understanding people I've met. With the hustle of today's world, it's easy for one to say they don't have time to help someone out. That wasn't the case for those I came in contact with, whether it was the commissioner of IHSAA, president of SOI, director of Champions Together, Unified Track and Field coaches or simply an athlete. Every single person was more than willing to give more than they were receiving. Those are the things that make me more hopeful for the future.
I've always been somewhat aware of what is going on around me, especially in the sense of people with disabilities, but this experience taught me things I never knew - from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 to how addicting it can really be to be involved in something like Champions Together or Unified Sports.
While I did learn so much along this journey, nothing can compare to the first time I watched a Unified Track and Field event. I had been covering Noblesville athletes throughout all my gathering, but they weren't the first athletes I was able to see in an actual event. I was at a triple-team meet between Plainfield (where I graduated from), Brownsburg and Mooresville, when I realized the Plainfield Unified Track and Field team was right behind me. I quickly reintroduced myself to a teacher, met some of the players and took a few pictures of the team together.
Experiences, Exposure, Everlasting Emotions
Every mom speaks highly of their kid, but when Kelly Bonar told me her son, Mitch, is a bubbly person, she wasn't kidding. Mitch didn't hesitate to come talk to me, which made everything easier. He is truly a people person.
One thing I'll remember about Mitch from this experience is from the first day of the Noblesville Unified Track and Field practice. We were all waiting in Coach Skaggs room for people to show up for the call-out meeting, and Mitch had one thing on his mind - they are going to be the first team to win a Unified Sports state title for Noblesville.
While everyone quickly told him to worry about getting enough people interested in the team, he was naming all the schools they would beat to win a state title. He gave me, and everyone else, some laughs, but it showed us who Mitch is. He works hard for what he wants and doesn't let anything or anyone stand in the way. He shoots for the stars with every intention of reaching his goals. There were times when I wished I was back in high school and could transfer to Noblesville, solely to experience Mitch Bonar every day.
Noblesville junior Mitch Bonar listens in during a Friday afternoon Unified Track and Field practice. Photo by Anna Wilson
Meeting Mitch
How a school project turned into wanting to know more
" Tears came pouring out because I was so invested in what I had been covering for a month. Unified Track and Field did it! "
About an hour later, I heard the teacher yelling to the official that they forgot to let Plainfield run their Unified 100 event. Quickly clearing the track, the runners were off and running in their first event as a Unified Track and Field athlete. Tears came pouring out because I was so invested in what I had been covering for a month. Unified Track and Field did it! I was able to see it in person, and it was one of the most moving moments of my life. These athletes that fought their entire lives with disabilities were treated just like everyone else. Everyone cheers at a track meet some, but as these athletes were running, the crowd erupted, whether they knew the runners or not.
That was truly the most rewarding thing of this entire experience. It's the one thing that I can forever hold as a memory, and may someday, be able to be more invested in it.
To everyone that helped me along the way, I want to thank you all. I couldn't have done it without all your help. I've never been so excited about a project, and I have you all to thank for that - for providing an experience to top life itself.
-- Anna Wilson
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