| At the start of the 2005 spring
semester, I began going to the Penn State's indoor track facility to get in
shape for an intramural indoor track meet that was coming up during the month
of March. I would go to the track every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to
train. One day while running at the track, I met a lady by the name of Teri
Jordan-Lucas. She was the Disabilities Recreation Program Coordinator. She
realized that I had been coming to the track. For a while, she was in need
of someone to work out with her athlete and be competitive, so she asked me
if I would be willing to train with her athlete. Her athlete was a female
wheel-chair racer. She was one of five athletes apart of the Disability Recreation
Program at Penn State and she was the only wheel-chair athlete. I figured
it would be good for me to train with another person, so I accepted her offer.  
Penn State's Indoor Track Facility
The following week I was training
with the wheel-chair athlete. She worked extremely hard. She was a very tough
athlete. I was really impressed by her work ethic and the effort she put in
while on the track. I believe she was happy that she had someone to train
with. I know that it is never easy to push yourself to work hard while training
by yourself.
One thing that I learned, or realized, was that just because you look disabled
does not mean you have to be disabled. She worked so hard that I forgot sometimes
she was in wheelchair. I was as well reminded to work hard and to appreciate
the things that I have. I know that I am in a really good position because
I don't have to worry about not being able to walk. Now I am more aware and
appreciate the things I have. Because of her I am a better wiser person. She
is truly an inspiration to me.
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