Never Give Up

So, last night Mark, myself and the kids ventured out to the Hanford Farmer's Market. As long as we have lived here, we have never been. That's so sad to say because it sort of shows what hermits we are. lol. Anyhow, we went along with our good friends, the Villasenors. The first stop was at the carousel which was spinning so fast that I was nauseous just from looking at it! Everyone went on the carousel except for me. I don't do well going in repetitive circles. I can barely turn around 3 times without getting dizzy! So, while everyone was enjoying the ride, I looked over to my right and saw a man sitting on a bench. Nothing unusual . . . right? That's when I noticed his right leg. A prosthetic. And then, I noticed his right arm. Also a prosthetic. I was in the presence of Olympic greatness and my family was spinning at what I considered to be an unsafe speed. I'm not one of those crazed people that freaks out when they see their favorite celebrity. I've met Jerry Rice, been in the presence of Dr. Phil, met the Women's Olympic Softball team, and even attended school while they were literally filming Powder next door. Oh yeah, and I've also met Chuck "the Iceman" Liddell. I never once freaked or broke my usual character. Yes, they are all great and wonderful people, not to mention famous. So? I just don't see the purpose in getting all jazzed up and in their face when they deal with it every day. I like to think that when people ignore them, it makes them feel better. That's my philosophy. Okay, okay, I've gotten quite off track here, but the point I was trying to make is that I don't go out of my way for 'famous' people.
There I was, in the presence of one of the world's most prestigious Paralympiads, and all I could do was glance over every so often and smile. I would have never known who this man was if I hadn't just watched the news the night before. He's from Tulare, a town in the valley. He lost his arm and leg as a teenager in a motorcycle accident. His forte . . . archery. How does someone with just one arm shoot a bow and arrow . . . and with championship accuracy? Amazingly, that's how. The man uses his TEETH to pull back the arrow. His name is Jeff Fabry. He was there with his wife and two young kids. He won the bronze medal this month at the Olympics. He also broke the world record of 111 points as well as the Paralympic record of 107 points. This is what his track record looks like
• 2008: NAA AR Open Indoor National Champion
• 2008: World Archery Festival Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2008: NFAA Pro Freestyle Limited Indoor National Champion
• 2008: NFAA Stan Open Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2007: Gold medal, W1 Compound – IPC Archery World Championships, Cheongju, Korea
• 2005: Gold medal, W1 Recurve – IPC Archery World Championships, Massa-Carrera, Italy
• 2004: Two bronze medals, W1 Recurve & Team Finals – Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
• 2003: Gold medal, W1 Recurve – IPC Archery World Championships
• 2003: Silver medal, AR Open Division – NAA Outdoor Nationals
• 2003: NFAA Marked 3-D Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2003: World Archery Festival Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2002: First place, AR-1 Division – NAA Outdoor Nationals
• 2001: World Archery Festival Bowhunter Freestyle Limited Champions

Now, if that isn't inspiring enough to any young person, I don't know what is. Actually, he's an inspiration to me as well. Here he is, a man lacking what the majority of the population has, and he is still determined to do what he loves. He hasn't let that get in his way.
When the carousel was finished spinning around, Mark and the kids made their way over to me. I pointed to the guy, whom was now in front of us and told him that he was an Olympic medalist. My thoughts were confirmed when I saw his Olympic tattoo on his calf muscle of his left leg. . . not to mention the Olympic T-shirt he was wearing. lol. Mark said I should have congratulated him. I should have. That would have been nice, but I didn't. Why? Because I'm not one of those crazed people. I like to admire strangers from afar. lol. As the night when on, I started to think that I should have said hello and congratulated the man. Then I thought, wow. I could have introduced Taylor and Austyn to him. They could have learned the valuable lesson and meaning behind, "Never Give Up!" This could have put the meaning to a face. It could have been living proof that dreams do in fact come true. You can do anything so long as you put your mind to it. But I didn't say a thing, because I am more reserved. Anyhow, I just wanted to share my story of personal inspiration with you all, and perhaps this man's story can inspire you to never give up. Your dreams are just that . . . dreams if you don't strive to accomplish them!