Jenny's Story: Adaptive Sports
Jenny Zimmer
Sac State Student
My strengths are: “I would have to say my positive attitude and my ability to adapt to any given situation. I say this because I have spent my life not focusing on what I can’t do, but rather what I can. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and have been in a wheelchair all of my life. I have had people ask me in the past, ‘Jenny, would you like to walk someday?’ I tell them no because that would change who I am as a person.”
I am good at: “Showing people that the disability itself is not the only aspect of a person you should focus on when getting to know someone who has a disability. I volunteer with a non-profit organization that promotes disability awareness to children in schools. When I give my speeches, the last message I leave kids with is, ‘The wheelchair is part of me but not all of me.’”
In my spare time: “I love to snow ski and water ski. Snow skiing is my passion. It makes me feel free when I do it. It is my happy place. The snow is another place I like to call home.”
I am passionate about: “Therapeutic recreation. I have had so many wonderful experiences with adaptive sports over the years that now it is my turn to give back and teach people what I know. I just love it when you can spend a week at a camp for kids with disabilities and the only thing a camper can say about their week at camp, with tears in their eyes, is how awesome their experience was because of me. When that happens, you know you’ve done something right.”
Something about me that surprises people is: “I am a risk taker. For example, my dad asked me what I wanted for my graduation from high school and I said I wanted to skydive. I have jumped twice and there is nothing like flying.”
My proudest accomplishment is: “We all have dreams growing up as a child. I have been participating in adaptive sports since I was eleven years old and I had always wanted to represent the USA in some sport. Well, I got that opportunity in 2005 when I got to go to Sydney, Australia and represent the USA in track and field. I participated in something called the Australia Jr. National Games. At those games, I came back with two gold medals in the shot put and discus.”
Adaptive Sports and Recreation Club at Sac State
This club is designed to make people aware of what is out there in terms of recreation for people with disabilities. It is also an outlet for people with disabilities to come and network and meet new people. Furthermore, it is a place where people with disabilities can try new and exciting activities that they may or may not have tried before. Our motto is “We will find a way” and that stands true.
Therapeutic Recreation Contact
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