“There’s Only Ability”
Kick off your Friday with this feel-good story of the day. Amidst the beginning of the NFL offseason, Shaquem Griffin continues to be an inspiration to athletes everywhere – particularly to those with adaptive needs.
Griffin teamed up The Hartford, an advocate for sustainability, leadership and human achievement, that works to empower youth and adults with disabilities by making adaptive equipment and sports more accessible. Two Tampa Bay-area athletes with Cerebral Palsy were surprised with adaptive equipment, J.T., an 11-year-old boy, and Samantha, a 33-year-old woman and full-time wheelchair user. J.T. received a total gym – just like one that he has used in therapy, and Samantha received a custom sport racing chair.
“We don’t have any disability, there’s only ability,” Griffin told the athletes, offering virtual words of encouragement and swapping stories. As an athlete who had his left hand amputated at the age of four as the result of a congenital birth defect, Griffin says “I never want to feel like I can’t compete with someone else, and vice-versa.”
With the help of their new equipment, children and adults alike can excel and achieve in their sport, with the necessary tools to be great.
On a recent “Talkin’ Seahawks” Podcast with NBC Sports Northwest, Griffin spoke on being differently abled: “When it comes to athleticism and it comes to doing things, we are competitive, regardless… I want you to see me and know that if you want to do something, you have to fight for it as hard as I did.”
“For me to be able to be close to J.T. and Sam, and being from the Tampa area, and being able to gift them with those – being able to see the kids be happy… I’m just blessed, and it’s a very emotional time.”
12s can listen to the full podcast episode here.
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