Matt does motivational speaking as a way to give back to those who supported him & extend a helping hand to others less fortunate.
What makes someone a role model? A role model can be anyone, some one you learn and take guidance from, some one who makes a difference in your life or the lives of others, or some one who uses their disability to inspire and help others.
Sometimes when we think of great role models we think of famous people with disabilities like former actor Christopher Reeve. Christopher & his wife Dana funded research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries & help improve the lives of people living with paralysis through grants, information & advocacy. Football players Doug Betters or Mike Utley, inspire others through their hard work & determination & hold events to raise money for SCI.
But there are many other disability role models out there that strive for a cause and make an impression on the people around them everyday. Matt Courson talks about this in his EasyStand Story, “Being a former athlete, I thought the Michael Phelps and Darren McFaddens were the athletes and heroes in our society. However, after attending these therapy centers, I learned that the girls and guys putting in the time and effort to achieve common goals were the real heroes. Instead of scoring touchdowns or winning gold medals, these individuals were defying medical history by recovering from paralysis!”
In Matt’s Story he also talks about his role model, “My father is my hero, he has portrayed to me what a hero is. He would work his job during the day and at night come home and do spinal cord injury therapy with me for a couple of hours. He is truly the man I want to be someday!” Matt we think that you are a great role model too!
We want to hear from you! Who is your role model and why?
My role model is Ronan Tynan. Although born with deformed legs and having them amputated just below the knee, he went on to become an accomplished athlete (several world records in the paralympics), horseman, Orthopedic doctor, renowned tenor and also motivational speaker. All while dealing with prosthetic legs! And if you have ever had the great pleasure of on of his concerts (or even meeting him) you would be impressed by his humility, humor and strength, not to mention his dancing. He is truly remarkable.
Thank you Mary! I agree he is a great role model, it would be awesome to hear him sing sometime. For those of you who want to learn more about Ronan Tynan visit his website http://www.ronantynan.net/ or wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan_Tynan
My rol model is my daughter Rosimar
Rosimar Hernandez, is 29 years old. She uses a wheelchair because she cannot walk. She has a condition of cerebral palsy, but her condition has not been an obstacle in achieving her dreams and goals.
As a poster child at age 7 for the regional Easter Seals Organization in Puerto Rico, she learned to fight for the rights of this special population by educating people about the ADA law and by the participation in senate proposals. By doing this, she grew in spirit, mind, and service to her Island.
By the year 2000, she was selected National Adult Representative of the Easter Seals Organization. She had the opportunity to travel and create awareness of the need to reinforce the quality of life for people with physical disabilities throughout the nation..
She is the author of the project “Sea without Barriers” in Luquillo Beach, that enables people with physical disabilities to enjoy to the fullest the beautiful beaches Puerto Rico has to offer. (Look up Sea without Barriers)
She completed her Bachelors degree in drama, at the University of Puerto Rico and implemented an assistive program with the latest technology to help students with disabilities with their college studies. Students from elementary and high schools also benefit from her Program.
In the year 2006 she completed her Masters degree (vale victory) in Drama Therapy at New York University. She currently work s in Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, NY Coordinating therapies for patients with acute psychiatric disorders.
Serving as an example for others she has accomplished many dreams; deep water scuba diving, adaptive water ski, sky diving, professional modeling, and one of the most blessed accomplishments was getting married and having a beautiful daughter “Angela” now age 9.
Her dream is to get to the unfortunate people with disabilities that are home vegetating because they do not know that they are entitled to quality living through education and government programs. She also wants to create programs to help people increase their self esteem so they can contribute their talents to our Nations progress and future.
She is always concerned about Society’s archetectual barriers, but above all the barriers of the human spirit. She wants to educate the citizens of our Nation that people with physical disabilities have dreams, laugh, cry but above all live! Want to know more about her? Just look in the internet “Rosimar hernandez”. You will agree with me that she is amazing!
Nancy~You must be so proud…your daughter has done some amazing things! Not only has she accomplished a lot in her own life, but she strives to better the lives of others too. She is definitely a great role model! We wish her the best of luck with her future successes.~Bryanne