Thanks to her sister, Tammy gets a free "Monday Make Over" from Charisma Inner Beauty Salon & KAKE TV.
So James, what do you think?
The video is a little choppy, but its still good!
<CLICK HERE>
Robert Hammer:
Alumni with Disabilities Share Stories of Success BY ERIN O’DONNELL F R I E N D S U N I V E R S I T Y MAGAZINE | Winter 2007 | focus www.friends.edu FEATURE story
Sixty years later, Robert Hammer Jr. can say the same thing about being at Friends University. Hammer has cerebral palsy, distorting
his body from the waist down. He walks awkwardly, dragging one foot. His speech and intelligence are unaffected — but it’s hard to get that across in the flash of a first impression. Job interviews had always been particularly difficult.
“You can talk to someone over the phone and almost have the job, then go in person and see their expression and know it’s all over,” Hammer said. “People think because you have a disability that you don’t have any brains. Now, how can that be true when I have a bachelor’s degree?”
Hammer earned his last year in computer technology, through the degree completion program — right before he competed in the Salty Dog Triathlon in Hutchinson. At the age of 48, Hammer finally had a sense of self-confidence. As a kid, he endured blatant teasing; as an adult, he faced subtle discrimination. In his two years at Friends, he found acceptance.
“Teachers used to ask my parents, ‘How do we treat him?’ They would say, ‘Just like everybody else.’ That’s why Friends
was such a neat experience. It really helped my self-esteem to accomplish this.”
Carol Bergley, assistant director of Student Account Services, bonded with Hammer while helping sort out his financial aid. He deflected most of her attempts to help him physically, but ultimately she was inspired by his independence.
“A lot of times he would be winded when he got to my office, and we would visit more because I didn’t want him just to jump up and leave,” Bergley said. “One time when he wanted to see where his class was, he finally let me help carry his books. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it, but I wanted to make it more comfortable for him.”
Hammer, who commuted to classes from his home in Lyons, said he did get frustrated, especially in his worst subject: math. “I relied a lot on the teachers for motivation and support, when I got to thinking I couldn’t do it,” he said. “I got lucky, I guess. People come along in your life when you need them.”
And eventually jobs do, too. Hammer now works for DCSSAbility, a firm that employs people with disabilities, doing web research for the Department of Defense from home. Last fall, as a result of his boss’ nomination, he received a REACH award from Community Development and Financial Resources, which honors the accomplishments of people with disabilities.
“I got to thinking how hard I’d worked over the last couple of years, between school and the triathlon. And I thought, in a way I do deserve this,” Hammer said.” I’d just never been one to have the light shined on me.”
Hammer has also been appointed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to the State Rehabilitation Council for a three-year term. He hopes to shine his own light on an issue close to his heart: knocking down barriers for the disabled in the workplace.
LYONS - For Robert Hammer Jr., competing in the Aug. 11 Salty Dog triathlon isn't a matter of winning or losing.
Robert Hammer Jr. rides through Carey Park Sunday on a racing wheelchair, covering the course for the running stage of the Salty Dog Triathlon. Photos by Lindsey Bauman.
He's set a goal for finishing the course."I will get through," he said. "It's just how long it will take. I'm not trying for speed."
The 6th annual Salty Dog competition, co-sponsored by the Hutchinson Recreation Center and the Recreate for Life Foundation, will be held in Carey Park. Triathlon competitors will swim 400 meters in the Salt City Splash pool, bike 10.5 miles and end with a 3.1 run.
Hammer, 48, of Lyons, born with cerebral palsy that has affected his knees, legs and ankles, feels confident he can stay with the pack in the swimming and biking divisions.
The challenge comes in the running category. He'll compete in that leg of the contest in a borrowed racing wheelchair.
With help from his father, also Robert Hammer, they've customized the lightweight chair's steering lever to give him maximum control on the curves.
On Sunday, Hammer wheeled his way across two-thirds of the Carey Park course in a practice run. The extra length added to the steering lever helped. "I didn't have to bend over to control it," he said.
Hammer's doctor David Liska inspired him to enter the Salty Dog after Liska competed in it for the past two years. "I asked him what he thought my chances were, and he told me 'You can do it,' " Hammer said.
An experienced triathlon competitor himself, Liska described his patient "Hammerman" as fiercely independent and a terrific human
being." He has the determination and the inner strength to do it," Liska said.
Hammer maintains upper body strength through workouts in his home gym. He bench presses up to 100 pounds as a personal safety measure.
Robert Hammer loads a racing wheelchair into his truck on Sunday morning after a training run by his son Robert Jr., left, through Carey Park.
"If I don't keep up the muscles in my upper body and I fall, it messes me up," he said.
Those falls come when he trips on a carpet or makes a misstep while he's walking.
Because of his disability, Hammer figures he has to compensate by working twice as hard as the other entrants.
In a demonstration of his bicycle skill, he slid his feet into straps that keep them from slipping off the pedals and rode up and down the street past his Lyons home.
Depending on the weather, he trains on one of the three events every evening.
Hammer's full-time job has him working as a computer research assistant for the BTCO company of Wichita, working from home, he collects information for the Department of the Army.
BTCO supervisor Randy Ellenz described Hammer as a dedicated employee who earns high marks for overcoming his physical disability.
"It's incredibly impressive," Ellenz said.
Since he entered the triathlon, his training has become a personal goal. "I don't know what to expect," Hammer said. "I'll be excited just to have gone through it."
And after this first year he'll know more what his weaknesses are." I just don't know how long it will take," he said. "Next year I'll practice on getting fast."
Jordan Bird:
U.S. PARALYMPICS: U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team Selected Following National Championships
Team to compete at the 2007 Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12-19
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced today its nominees to the 2007 U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team. The team was determined following the results of the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships in Marietta, Ga.
The 2007 Parapan American Games will be held August 12-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Track & Field competition is scheduled to run from the August 13-19 and will be held in the João Havelange Stadium.
Representing the USA in the sport of track & field at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be: (total team size: 28 men and 17 women)
Men:
(Name/Classification/Hometown)
Danny Andrews T44 Tucson, Ariz. Jordan Bird T54 Wichita, Ks.
Adam Bleakney T53 Champaign, Ill.
Matthew Brown F42 Idalou, Texas
Jeremy Campbell T44/F44 Chula Vista, Calif./Perryton, Texas
Brandon Caswell T54 Pendleton, Ore.
Edwin Cockrell F44 New Athens, Ill.
Scott Danberg F40 Cooper City, Fla.
Troy Davis T54 Queen Creek, Ariz.
Ryan Fann T44 Brush Creek, Tenn.
Brian Frasure T44 Apex, N.C.
Joshua George T53 Champaign, Ill./Herndon, Va.
Peter Gottwald T13 West Chester, Pa.
Erik Hightower T54 Glendale, Ariz.
Josiah Jamison T12 Chula Vista, Calif./Vance, S.C.
Donald Kosakowski T46/F46 Oxford, Ct.
Carlos Leon F52 North Lauderdale, Fla.
Royal Mitchell T13 Chula Vista, Calif./Ardmore, Pa.
Kyle Mutz T52 Tucson, Ariz.
Josh Roberts T52 Morris, Ala.
Abraham Sauer T46 Johnstown, Colo.
Marlon Shirley T44/F44 Chula Vista, Calif./Tremonton, Utah
Jerome Singleton T44 Irmo, S.C.
Jeff Skiba T44/F44 Chula Vista, Calif./Sammamish, Wash.
Austin Snyder T53 Tucson, Ariz.
Casey Tibbs T44/F44 San Diego, Calif.
Steven Toyoji T52 Redmond, Wash.
Scott Winkler F54 Grovetown, Ga.
Women:
Mallerie Badget T52 Oxford, Ala.
Cheri Blauwet T53 Palo Alto, Calif.
Anjali Forber-Pratt T53 Champaign, Ill.
Jessica Galli T53 Savoy, Ill.
Sabra Hawkes T37 Rockport, Mass.
April Holmes T44/F44 Chula Vista, Calif./Somerdale, N.J.
Jill Kennedy F40 Palmyra, Va.
Cheryl Leitner T52 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Tatyana McFadden T54 Clarksville, Md.
Amanda McGrory T53 Champaign, Ill.
Kerri Morgan T52 St. Louis, Mo.
Margaret Redden T53 Jersey City, N.J.
Rachelle Renaud T37/F37 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Christina Ripp T54 Lakewood, Colo.
LeAnn Sagmeister T53 Jacksonville, Fla.
Robyn Stawski F33 Tampa, Fla.
Katy Sullivan T42 Sun Valley, Calif.
All nominations are contingent upon meeting all prerequisites listed in the selection procedures including their agreement and adherence to the USOC Code of Conduct for U.S. Paralympics and Paralympic Programs.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics at (719)866-2039 or beth.bourgeois@usoc.org.
About U.S. Paralympics:
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader of the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.
Beth Bourgeois
Communications Manager
U.S. Olympic Committee, Paralympic Division
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719)866-2039 www.usparalympics.org
Jordan Bird & the Country's Top Paralympic Athletes, Military Veterans to Highlight U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.: Many of America's finest Paralympic track & field athletes are set to battle at the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, June 30-July 2 at Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga. The meet is the sole qualifying event for the 2007 Parapan American Games in Brazil and is also designed to help develop future Paralympic athletes and promote the club/team aspect of track & field.
Last year, over 200 athletes from 12 countries turned out for the event, including the entire U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team (roster listed below). As the number of competitors for this year's event has increased, fast times and good marks are sure to follow.
Also included in this year's competition is a small contingency of military veterans, several of whom are aiming to qualify for the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team.
The competition will also feature an All-Comers Division, which is an opportunity for newer athletes to compete in the event on a novice/intermediate level. Events in the All Comers Division feature the 100m, 200m, 400m, javelin, discus and shot put.
2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team Roster
Men:
Jordan Bird (Wichita, Ks.)
Adam Bleakney (Savoy, Ill.)
Jeremy Campbell (Chula Vista, Calif./Perryton, Texas)
Scott Danberg (Cooper City, Fla.)
Ryan Fann (Brush Creek, Tenn.)
Joshua George (Champaign, Ill./Herndon, Va.)
Peter Gottwald Jr. (Boothwyn, Pa.)
Josiah Jamison (Chula Vista, Calif.)
Donald Kosakowski (Oxford, Ct.)
Royal Mitchell (Chula Vista, Calif./Ardmore, Pa.)
Abe Sauer (Johnstown, Colo.)
Marlon Shirley (Chula Vista, Calif./Tremonton, Utah)
Jeff Skiba (Chula Vista, Calif./Sammamish, Wash.)
Casey Tibbs (San Diego, Calif./San Antonio, Texas)
For the second year running, BlazeSports America, a partner organization of U.S. Paralympics, will host the competition.
To check out the competition schedule, go to www.blazesports.org. The event is free and open to the public. Media interested in attending should contact Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics at (719)866-2039.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics, at
(719)866-2039 or beth.bourgeois@usoc.org.
About U.S. Paralympics:
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.
About BlazeSports America:
BlazeSports America provides opportunities for children and adults with physical disability to realize their potential through sport and healthy lifestyles. BlazeSports provides sports training, competitions, summer camps, leadership training, and recreational opportunities for youth and adults who use wheelchairs, have a visual impairment, have an amputation, or who have a neurological disability such as cerebral palsy. For more information visit our website at www.blazesports.org.
Beth Bourgeois
Communications Manager
U.S. Olympic Committee, Paralympic Division
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719)866-2039 www.usparalympics.org
Brandon's custom made Spinners.
Athlete trains for 2008 Paralympics
By Joe Rodriguez
The Wichita Eagle
Wichitan Jordan Bird cracks a smile when he talks about his chances to fulfill a dream: participating in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. http://www.kansas.com/212/story/28174.html
Local Tennis Powerhouse, Nick Taylor makes USTA "Cross Court" Magazine News Cover!
"WINNING AROUND THE WORLD"
Taylor is living proof that focus and grit –– plus a little invention –– go a long way.
He’s been proving it since his earliest days in the sport, when his motivation was to make his high school varsity tennis team at Wichita West. (Click here for full story) Also read more on Nick Taylor in the January edition of "Sports N Spokes"
WSI Member Jordan Bird makes the news again! The young track and
field athlete has been making a name for himself in the 100-, 400-, 800-meter and one-mile races and qualified for the 2008 Paralympics in
Beijing, China. Read the story here: http://www.usd259.com/news/express/archives/012907.htm#nem
Last Updated:
March 14, 2008
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Jordan Bird & the Country's Top Paralympic Athletes, Military Veterans to Highlight U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships