Een hele bijzondere atleet

[Mascha]

Ik wil jullie voorstellen aan Barbie. Ik ben deze bijzondere atleet tegen gekomen op de Olympia. En echt je kijkt heel erg raar als je deze dame voor het eerst ziet lopen. Maar als je haar verhaal leest dan dwingt ze echt respect af.
Helaas is het in het Engels maar ik zal je echt aanraden om het te lezen.

I'd like you to meet a woman who I had the opportunity to meet at a competition in 2005. While competing in the Pro Fitness division, Barb was competing in the amateur fitness division. I ran into her at the buffet breakfast after the show and grabbed the opportunity to speak to her further. We have since stayed in touch and will be working together for her future competitions. I've asked her to share her story with you while you work through this program. Barb proves against all odds that you can fulfill your dreams and live a fit and healthy lifestyle. So what's YOUR excuse?
Where do I begin?? Many, many moons ago, on a hot summer night, a beautiful baby girl was born named Barbie. (haha) It wasn't that many moons ago. Maybe we don't need to go back quite that far.
When I was 2 1/2 years old I climbed up a transformer box (big green electrical box) outside the apartment where we lived. My arms were so badly burned that they were blackened like charcoal and you could see straight through to the bones. Obviously, my arms had to be amputated. The electricity exited my body through my legs - I have the scares to prove it
The doctors said I probably was not going to live and if I did, I would be a vegetable for the rest of my life. What did that mean anyway, was I going to become green and leafy? Just kidding. Anyway, my mother prayed to God that if I was going to be a vegetable, to please take me now. She also made a promise to God that if He let me live a healthy life, she would make sure that I became a "somebody."
Well, He let me live alright! He also gave me an extremely strong will to survive and prove all of those docs wrong! My recovery baffled those smart doctors, and I'm still proving them all wrong today!
I spent about 3 months or so in the hospital and re-hab center where I received extensive physical therapy. After I was released, I continued with occupational therapy for several years. My parents decided early on to make me an independent person. They didn't baby me and do everything for me. They made me learn how to do things for myself. Of course, they helped me and guided me, but they refused to let me be "handicapped."
Trust me life wasn't always easy for Barbie. I struggled with learning how to eat, dress myself, etc. but eventually I got it! My teenage years were especially difficult. I think all teenage girls struggle with figuring out where they fit in, self-esteem, and self-image. I was no exception - except it was a lot worse for me - or so it seemed. I always thought I was ugly. I hated my body. I didn't fit in anywhere. Kids were cruel. I was always very self - conscience about using my feet to do things. I mean - what if someone saw me? What would they think?
Now I realize that people do see me. In fact many times they stare. Now, I don't care if they stare at me. I hope they like what they see! (haha) As far as what people think - who cares? If they don't like the way I look or how I'm doing something - they don't have to look as far as I'm concerned. I have to do what I have to do, and nobody has to approve. I also used to only wear clothes that covered up my shoulders so people wouldn't look. Guess what I finally realized? It doesn't matter what I wear - long sleeves, short sleeves, no sleeves, strapless - people are going to look, regardless. And I'm now ok with that. Let 'em look all they want!
So I mustered up all the confidence in myself that any one person could ever possibly need, quit worrying about what other people thought, and went on with my life, and I was HAPPY! After high school, I went to ASU for a little while, and then got married. Soon after, I had our first child. Children, well, that's a whole other story. We'll save that for later. Anyway, I now have 2 little boys, and am happily divorced.
I was fairly athletic all my life. I was on the swim team, soccer team, and took a little bit of dance. When I was in high school, I continued swimming and took up doing those Buns of Steel videos! My Dad made me a home-made bench for step aerobics! I also began running/jogging. When I went to college, I continued swimming, jogging, and went to actual step classes - not just the videos! After my oldest son was born, I joined a gym. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, but I went faithfully. A few years later, I decided I wanted to teach aerobics. So, I got my AFAA certification and taught aerobics - non-stop! I had regular classes at 2 gyms, and subbed at 2 other gyms. There were many days I was teaching 3 classes/day. I taught all the way through my 2nd pregnancy and then some. I finally got burned out with that, and really started hittin' the weights!
I always saw all those women in the fitness magazines that were competing, and I thought that would be so much fun! So, I checked out the local competitions. I called up the person who runs a local show (I won't name names - I have more class than that) to see if I would be allowed to compete. I didn't want to bust my ass to prepare for a show, and then not be allowed to enter. He went on and on about how inspiring that would be, and in the next breath said," But you know, you can NEVER win." Ok, so I'm realistic. I realize there absolutely no symmetry to my body, but he just sparked a flame inside of me. If you tell me I can't do something, I'm going give it everything I've got to prove you wrong. Then he said, "you're doing figure, right? You not gonna try fitness." Wrong again, buddy! Right then is when I decided to enter into fitness. I turned his negative words into the most inspiring words I had ever heard. Nine months later, I competed in my first fitness competition.! Once was all it took - at least I'm having fun -doing what I love. Every athlete who gets up on that stage is a winner! Basically, I compete against myself. My goal for every show is to do better and look better than the last time!
I also hope that by putting myself up on that stage and doing what I do, it motivates and inspires people to quit making excuses for not working out or competing. Not only do I want to motivate people to be active, but I want to motivate them to quit making excuses for not reaching their potential in all areas of their lives. I want people to quit saying "I can't" "Can't is not an option! I think people should follow their dreams, and not give up until they're living their dream! I want people to see that you can do anything that you put your mind to! Why limit yourself?




Helaas lukt het me niet om de foto`s erbij te zetten, misschien kan iemand dat doen?? Je kan ze in iedergeval bekijken op http://www.sandrawickham.com/barbie.htm

[boerenkool]

idd, zeer bewonderenswaardig

[builderB]

Wow!

[teddybeerke]

respect

[marc181982]

wow , impressive

[DutchVince]

Wat een trieste gebeurtenis die electrocutie
En bijzonder knap dat ze zich niet laat weerhouden door het gebrek aan armen.
Heel veel respect !

[m@rl1]

Wow zeg
Echt heel veel respect voor die dame!!

[Dragonlady]

Dat is nu pas echt een voorbeeld...geen excuses maar gewoon gaan voor wat je wilt. Mijn respect heeft ze..

[Lauw]

juist! geen smoesjes geen excuses, maar puur doorzettingsvermogen
erg inspirerend dit soor mensen.