For many years, Wayne Merdinger, President of MK Battery, has been sharing “tales” of his positive experiences with the USPSA. I always had the feeling that perhaps he was over-hyping his level of enthusiasm; similar to how Tom Sawyer told his friends how great it was to paint the fence.
Recently, I attended the USPSA national tournament, held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana last month, and I owe Wayne an apology. I now realize that he, in fact, completely undersold the experience! To say I was moved would be a colossal understatement. What I witnessed, especially the interaction among the participants, their families and the entire community was nothing short of incredible.
I met so many amazing people at the event. I could not believe the competitive spirit of the players, but once I got a chance to know them, I was even more impressed by the way they attack life. The athletes and their families have an incredible bond that transcends sports and is utterly heartwarming. I got to spend time with all-stars like Zach Dickey, his brother, Jordan Dickey (the “Cerebral Assassin”) and Jordan’s fiancé Natalie Russo (who plays for a competing tournament team).
I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Josh Burger and his dad who reside in California but made the trip to the tournament to compete, and to catch up with old friends. Josh was born with a dwarfism disorder, and he relies on a powerchair that offers seat elevation so that he can lay down on the chair to compete. He is incredibly talented along with being one of the funniest and most optimistic individuals I have ever met. He often shares his story as a motivational speaker, and some of his presentations can be accessed via YouTube.
I left the event feeling inspired about Power Soccer as an activity that can truly change lives. Every power chair-user of every age should have the opportunity to participate in sports and in all aspects of life. In my mind, these folks are not disabled; they have a perspective just like anybody else, as they endeavor to live their lives to the fullest. This experience has changed my outlook and has me better realizing that life often creates obstacles and challenges that can seem insurmountable at times, but we take them on so we can get the most out of life, under whatever circumstances we may face.
My final words - THANK YOU WAYNE for giving me the opportunity to have this experience. I encourage all of you to find a local Power Soccer club and get involved- it could change your life!
