Last weekend I volunteered at the Texas Open Wheelchair Championships at Oak Creek Tennis Center. In between helping out with the tournament I was able to get to watch some pure wheelchair tennis. As I stood their watching I noticed some players had tape all over their hands, and had to ask someone sitting next to me why they were taped. She explained to me that this was the Quad(quadraplegic) Open Division. I was very confused cause I thought quads could not use their arms. She continued to explain that some quadraplegics have more use than others. Depending on just where they broke their neck. Each mm of difference of where they broke their neck could be the difference between being able to move your fingers or to be able to just move your hand. Since some quads. do not have any hand use what so ever. They had to have their racquest taped to their hands. That is when it dawned on me dear lord! This one guy I am watching has no tricep muscle and is using only his Biceps to propel and hit the ball. Not only was he hitting the ball but he was hitting it hard and with accuracy. The lady next to me explained and that is why he is playing in the Quad Open Division. In fact I learned he was going to play in the Paralympic Games in China. So now I am truly convinced I am blessed. I also wonder if I was put into the same position as some of these athletes. Could I lift myself up to even get out of bed, would I have the strength of charactor I have seen here? It is a question we all would like to think the answer would be an easy yes. Yet, we really will never know till we are put in their place.
