The last time I wrote on this blog, I had just been hit by a car. It has been a tough year and I am just thankful to be able to post on this blog. I am slowly working my way back into Ironman fitness, but this post has nothing to do with me, it is about the purpose of my endeavors to begin with.
This past week, Brett an I took off for East Lansing, Michigan so that Brett could compete in the World Drawf Games. Bottom line up front, this was the most amazing weeks that I have ever had the opportunity to be involved in.
I have competed in sports most of my life, but this is the first time that I have had the opportunity to be involved at an International level. Michigan welcomed approximately 400 athletes representing 17 nations. This was the largest even in history comprised of participants with some sort of dwarfism.
It all started with the opening ceremonies with each nation marching in one at a time while their national anthem was played. It was followed by speeches from very prominent people in the world of dwarfism. Speakers included Amy Andrews, president of the Dwarf Athletic Association of America, Arthur Dean, chairperson of the International Dwarf Athletic Federation and Erin Popovich, most decorated Dwarf athlete, winner of 14 gold medals at Paralympic Games and 2 ESPYs.
After the ceremonies, the week started off with track and field. Brett competed in a few running events and a few throwing events. Brett just turned 7 and was competing for the first time in the junior A division of children aged 7-11, which comprised of 40 athletes from around the world. He was about the youngest competing and running is not one of his strengths. He didn't do very well in the field events, but he was competitive in the track events. He was only able to pull off a single silver medal in the 4X20m relay, but it was a successful day.
Day 2 was his strong suit, swimming. This was the only event of the week that did not take place at Michigan State University. It took place at a local high school that had better facilities than any I have ever seen and the large facility was packed. Brett's first event was the 25m backstroke, an event that I would consider his weakest. Brett hadn't progressed as well in this event as we hoped, so Annette and I agreed that we would pull him from the event. As we quickly learned, the make-up of a little person's body structure does not do very well for the backstroke and only 3 people signed up for the event. Brett and I discussed what to do and we decided that he is guaranteed a bronze if he just finishes, which was very doubtful, but he would give it a shot. What followed was my most proud moment of the week. He got the bronze, he didn't quit and when he finished, the decibel level in the stadium sounded louder than many professional sporting events that I have attended. His next event was 25m freestyle. This event had several competitors in it and Brett was able to earn his second bronze medal of the day. Then came his strength, the breaststroke. He jumped in the water and held a commanding lead the entire race, earning him his only gold of the games. I am not sure I have ever seen him smile as much as he did after winning the event.
The next few day started the team events. Brett was able to compete against children of his own height for the first time in his life and he gained exposure to sports that he doesn't get to play as often. His team won silver in volleyball and floor hockey. They also won bronze in soccer and basketball. Additionally, he was able to compete in kurling, but was unable to progress past the first round.
The week also gave the opportunity for Brett to meet other children affected by dwarfism from around the world (he said the British kids speak a different language) and for me to get to know parents that are raising a child with short stature.
For the first time in his life, Brett was able to spend a week, not as a little person, but as a child the same as everyone else. We look forward to other opportunities in the future.
My efforts competing in Ironman Florida raised around $2000 to help put this event on and I am very thankful to everyone who contributed. Your generosity was put to good use. I am planning to compete in Ironman Arizona this year, despite my setback. The purpose of my fundraiser is over now, but I would encourage anyone who is interested in contributing in an organization like this so that they can hold similar events in the future to consider the DAAA.
You can continue to contribute via my fundraising site at http://www.daaa.org/DAAA_ironman.html
