The 2024 Summer Paralympics were a big deal in our house. Not only were we looking for a distraction from the chaos of life, but for the first time, NBC offered exceptional coverage of the games. My husband, Rob, plays wheelchair rugby, so it made the experience even more exciting to see some of the athletes he knows on the court. My sister and her family tuned in too. Her boys enjoyed cheering on Team USA and looking out for the players Uncle Rob knows.
Fast forward to earlier this year, I spent a long weekend visiting my sister’s family in Florida. One night, after dinner, the boys got their usual post-meal energy burst and started zooming around the floor, tossing a ball back and forth. KJ, the oldest, cheerfully exclaimed, "We're playing wheelchair rugby!" I can't fully describe what that moment meant to me, but I’ll try.
You see, KJ and Lincoln have always known their Uncle Rob. Rob has a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury from a car accident many years ago and uses a wheelchair. But, to KJ and Lincoln, Rob is simply their uncle.
Uncle Rob, the athlete.
Uncle Rob, the one who gave them that special Zelda game.
Uncle Rob, who took KJ out for cotton candy ice cream on his birthday.
Uncle Rob, who drives around in a cool Trackchair outside.
As a partner to someone with a disability, I’m careful not to overstep in sharing personal experiences that aren't mine to tell. But in a world where we're frequently asked for separate checks at a restaurant, because people don't assume we could be dining together, or when a cashier talks only to me, even though Rob is the one checking us out, it’s a profound relief to know that there are two little boys who see people with disabilities for who they really are.
It also makes me wonder: What if the rest of the world saw Rob for who he truly is?
Rob, the brilliant engineer.
Rob, the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.
Rob, the guy who can make your ribs hurt from laughing.
Rob, a contributing member of our community.
My dream for The Ability Collective and for Barry County is to create a community where everyone has a place. I want the kids who grow up here to see the full humanity in everyone. I want to help build a culture where it’s second nature to shovel your sidewalks so a neighbor can get to work or to stock your shelves with enough space for a wheelchair to pass. I want to live in a community that offers meaningful opportunities for employment, friendship, and where we all contribute to the common good.
I hope you will follow along with our story. This team building The Ability Collective is unmatched in talent and passion. I’m certain their love for this project will radiate into our community and I hope it inspires more people to pick up the torch in their own communities, because a thriving community includes everyone.