Laura
09-27-2007, 03:47 PM
http://www.wvec.com/news/health/stories/wvec_medical_092607_skier.111976886.html
Disabled athlete spreads hope, inspiration
07:55 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Reported by: Kathryn Barrett
The victim of a violent crime, a disabled athlete, is bringing his message of hope to Hampton Roads school children.
Ralph Green is considered an amputee, an athlete, and an inspiration. Green, who has only one leg, is the first and only African-American on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.
"I race the World Cup,” said Green. “To be able to compete against 150 athletes from 30 different countries, it's definitely a great feat."
Skiing wasn't even on Green's radar growing up in the projects in New York City.
“At the age of 15, I was living in Brooklyn and I was shot and I lost my leg to the gunshot wound,” said Green.
He was inspired by the group Aspire, and took up skiing.
Also Online
RalphGreen.net
"I figured I had a chance to defy expectations,” said Green. "It helps me understand how blessed I am to come where I've come from and ski and represent the United States."
Now, he inspires other kids to be all they can be.
"That's the kind of things that mold you into what you want to be,” said Green.
As a teenager, he played football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track, but his message at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday was hardly just for athletes.
Watch the report
"He's telling me to do better in life,” said Churchland Middle Schooler Ben O’Malley. “And I believe that. I want to try and do that."
"He's telling kids that you can be anything you want to,” said Churchland Middle Schooler Tiara Tillam. “It doesn't matter where you come from."
It may not matter where you come from, but it matters where you're going.
"Don't be afraid to be different,” Green said. “Think outside the box.”
That's the message from Ralph Green to kids of all ages.
Green also told the kids to love their families because those are the people who will be there for you no matter what happens.
Sponsored in part by Cox Communications, he's recently been practicing in Chile with the U.S. team.
Disabled athlete spreads hope, inspiration
07:55 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Reported by: Kathryn Barrett
The victim of a violent crime, a disabled athlete, is bringing his message of hope to Hampton Roads school children.
Ralph Green is considered an amputee, an athlete, and an inspiration. Green, who has only one leg, is the first and only African-American on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.
"I race the World Cup,” said Green. “To be able to compete against 150 athletes from 30 different countries, it's definitely a great feat."
Skiing wasn't even on Green's radar growing up in the projects in New York City.
“At the age of 15, I was living in Brooklyn and I was shot and I lost my leg to the gunshot wound,” said Green.
He was inspired by the group Aspire, and took up skiing.
Also Online
RalphGreen.net
"I figured I had a chance to defy expectations,” said Green. "It helps me understand how blessed I am to come where I've come from and ski and represent the United States."
Now, he inspires other kids to be all they can be.
"That's the kind of things that mold you into what you want to be,” said Green.
As a teenager, he played football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track, but his message at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday was hardly just for athletes.
Watch the report
"He's telling me to do better in life,” said Churchland Middle Schooler Ben O’Malley. “And I believe that. I want to try and do that."
"He's telling kids that you can be anything you want to,” said Churchland Middle Schooler Tiara Tillam. “It doesn't matter where you come from."
It may not matter where you come from, but it matters where you're going.
"Don't be afraid to be different,” Green said. “Think outside the box.”
That's the message from Ralph Green to kids of all ages.
Green also told the kids to love their families because those are the people who will be there for you no matter what happens.
Sponsored in part by Cox Communications, he's recently been practicing in Chile with the U.S. team.