I was born without hands and feet. It’s a rare condition. Living with that adversity has made me who I am today.
My parents helped me develop tools to overcome my challenges. When I was two, my dad decided that my family would stop helping me eat. He knew that one day I’d live on my own, so I’d have to look after myself. I learned to eat with a spoon, and then with a knife and fork. It gave me a huge sense of accomplishment.
My darkest moment came when I was 10. My family had moved from Indiana to Georgia. In Indiana, friends treated me as normal. But in Georgia, it was different. I felt very aware of my disability. I worried I’d have to live at home forever. I felt hopeless about the future.
My world changed when I got into sports. I started playing football. Everything came together when I made my first tackle at age 11. It was my first real achievement.
Everyone I played against was able-bodied. At first, I struggled. But I threw everything I had into learning to be the best player. I turned my lack of height into a weapon.
Then I decided to start wrestling(摔跤). I lost 35 games, but then I had a breakthrough. I had an amazing coach who helped me invent moves that took advantage of my strength. My different body type was a psychological advantage — opponents(对手)didn’t know how to handle it. I eventually finished 12th in the 103-pound weight class in the championships.
I keep going in the face of obstacles(障碍). Instead of thinking about the ultimate(最终的) goal, I focus on the immediate future. When I’m climbing a mountain, I’m down on all fours looking at the ground. It’s not going to do me any good to look up at the summit(山顶).
I just figure out how to do the best I can with the next few feet in front of me.
4. Why did the parents stop helping the writer eat?
A.To give him a sense of achievement. |
B.To push him to be more independent. |
C.To let him get used to the new tools. |
D.To prepare him for his new life in Georgia. |
5. How did the writer feel about his new life in Georgia?
A.Excited | B.Relaxed |
C.Anxious. | D.disappointed |
6. How did the writer become good at wrestling?
A.By giving up playing football. |
B.By learning from different opponents. |
C.By developing a psychological advantage. |
D.By learning how to better use his strength. |
7. What is the writer’s attitude toward life?
A.He concentrates on what’s directly ahead. |
B.He highly values the ultimate goal. |
C.He is pessimistic about his future. |
D.He dreams big despite his disability. |