In the last few months we have
been hearing from Krista Rausin about her daughter Elle. This Spring, Elle wanted to be on the track team. She wants to qualify for the Paralympics in London in 2012. You would think everyone would just line up to help her. It hasn't been that easy, but she has won some battles. Krista sent me this last week.
"March 12th, 2009, seemed like an ordinary hot, sunny Florida day. It
wasn't ordinary at all. History was being made in Southwest Florida. In
the quiet little town of Punta Gorda, two men at Charlotte High School
stood up for what was right and allowed my daughter Arielle to race in
a high school track meet open mile along with twenty seven other high
school teams.
For the very first time, Elle could race on a track with
other girls. I stood in the bleachers, camera in hand shouting and
snapping pictures. I watched Elle emerge from behind and finish the
1600 meter race in second place. I felt her joy, knowing that for the
first time she could run a race with girls her age and feel that sense
of competition and accomplishment. Watching my daughter have the same
opportunity as other high school girls made all the advocating worth
while. I shook things up in our area for a few months.
There were some
who opposed having a disabled athlete on a high school track team. It
was difficult hearing that my daughter technically could not even wear
the school uniform. Those who opposed change clung to tradition and hid
behind books of procedures unwilling to see the big picture. Luckily
for us, there were some brave souls willing to stand up and do what
they knew was right. Charlotte High School was one of them. We were not
alone."
Read the rest of Elle's story as seen through the eyes of her mom, Krista.
Rob
PS: Elle did the Susan G. Komen race Saturday morning, and her next meet is Saturday. We'll keep following her.
