She's a Winner!
by Sara Patterson
Melanie Chadwick has undergone more than one surgery for Syringomyelia, and although doctors couldn't stop the progression of the disorder, there is no stopping Melanie! Although she has relied on a wheelchair since 1994, she has more energy than most!
Melanie holds a full time job, teaching Physical Education to middle school students and also has custody of her very special grand child, Bryan. She is known for her incredible determination and her motto, "not handicapped but
handi-capable".
|
|
|
In 1996, Melanie was chosen from thousands of applicants to be the head counselor at the Para Olympic's in Atlanta. Her job was to take care of all the needs of the athletes stationed in her dorm. It was tremendous work. Melanie put in 12 to 14 hour days. She traveled with them from game to game, doing whatever needed to be done.
But this year she was doing the racing! First she participated in the Harvard 5K Race that benefits a local Children's Hospital. There were close to 2000 runners and three wheelers. Melanie won first prize! She was also pleasantly surprised when she was given the Courageous Award and asked to serve on the committee that organizes the race. She turned around and surprised ASAP by donating her winnings to the organization!
Melanie's next big challenge came in November when she raced in the Ocean State Marathon, which is 26.3 miles along the coastline. There were over 2000 runners and six wheelers. Melanie finished in just under 4 hours. It was an experience she will never forget. She said, "I laughed, I cried, I swore, but I made it. The last three miles were grueling and I didn't know if I would see the finish line. All of a sudden like an angel from above, I got this mighty push from behind and someone saying, 'You can do it'. A runner gave me that push and the inspiration to finish. He found me at the finish and said, ' I told you we would finish.' "
Melanie is a regular and favorite participant on the ASAP listserve. She always has a positive contribution to make and her determined attitude inspires us all! When writing about her wheelchair, she says, "It allows me to continue to do what I love. That is teach Physical Ed. Without the chair I would probably be home and be very bored. A chair is not the worst thing in life. As a matter of fact, sometimes it can be pretty cool! You know--attitude is everything. If you can live life at top quality in a chair, why not?"
|
