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4 Famous Athletes Who Have a Disability

Paralympic swimmer Rebecca Meyers won three gold and one silver medals in Rio 2016.

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4 Famous Athletes Who Have a Disability

Just because you have a physical disability, it does not mean that your love of sports is restricted to fantasy football or sports gambling, or Everygame casino no deposit bonus game playing on your laptop.

Many people with disabilities “take advantage of their strengths to compensate for their weaknesses.” It starts with learning about yourself, so you can understand what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are.

Here is a secret that successful people don’t want you to know: everybody has strengths and everybody has weaknesses. The ones who are successful understand that, and the ones who are not don’t understand that.

Aaron Fotheringham

Aaron Fotheringham is also one of the most famous skaters in the world. His specialty? Wheelchair skating. Aaron Fotheringham was born with spina bifida.

Aaron Fotheringham is an extreme wheelchair athlete who performs tricks adapted from skateboarding and BMX. He competes in the Vegas Am Jam series in skate park competitions, usually against BMX riders.

He is the first person to successfully perform a backflip in a wheelchair at the age of 14, and a double backflip at the age of 18.

He performs many other tricks in his wheelchair including 180 degree ‘aerials’, one-wheeled spins, and rail grinds. He plans to fuse the back flip with the 180 aerial into what is known as a ‘flair’.

When he was a young boy, he used crutches early on, but he has been a wheelchair user full-time since the age of eight. He would watch his brother riding his BMX at the skate park, and one day his brother told him that he should try riding his chair in the park.

Fotheringham uses a customized WCMX wheelchair designed by Box Wheelchairs, which is both lightweight and features four-wheel suspension. This enables him to perform the same sorts of tricks that skateboarders and BMXers can do, as the suspension cushions his landings.

Fotheringham has worked with Box Designs Wheelchairs to help refine the design in real-world situations, resulting in a custom-made chair that is in his words, “pretty much indestructible”.

In 2022, he competed on America’s Got Talent: Extreme. After receiving Nikki Bella’s golden buzzer in the audition round, he advanced to the finale, and earned second place.

Rebecca Meyers

Rebecca Meyers (born November 20, 1994, in Baltimore) is a Paralympic swimmer from the United States. She won three gold and one silver medals in Rio 2016. She was also a member of the 2012 Paralympic Team, and won a silver and bronze in London. Rebecca Meyers also competed at the 2009 Summer Deaflympics which was held in Taiwan.

Meyers has Usher syndrome and has been deaf since she was born. Since she was young she has used a cochlear implant, an electronic device that allows her to hear. Meyers is also losing her vision to a disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and has a Seeing Eye dog named Birdie, who helps her navigate the world.

She grew up in Baltimore, attended Notre Dame Prep, and went on to graduate from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where she studied history with a concentration in Disability Studies.

In June 2021 the US announced the 34 Paralympic swimmers who would be going to the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. The women’s team was Meyers, Jessica Long, McKenzie Coan, Elizabeth Marks, and Mallory Weggemann. On July 20, 2021, Meyers withdrew from the Paralympics after being denied her request for a personal care assistant due to the reduced allocation of staff members amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matt Brown (parathlete)

Matthew S. Brown, known as Matt P.F. Brown (born November 24, 1976), is currently a football and track and field coach at Idalou High School in Idalou in Lubbock County, Texas. He is also a gold and bronze winner in the Parapan American Games. Brown’s left leg was amputated above the knee because of an accidental industrial explosion on December 20, 2005.

In September 2007, Brown won a gold medal in the discus, having set a record throw of 154 feet 9 inches (47.17 m), and a bronze in the shot put at the 2007 Parapan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games in Beijing, where he finished fourth in the men’s discus.

On July 12, 2011, Brown was suspended for three months by the Paralympic team after a United States Anti-Doping Agency test revealed the presence of a marijuana metabolite in his body. He was also made ineligible to participate in official track and field events for a calendar year. He tested positive for marijuana again in a June 2012 test and was again suspended for twelve months.

Who knows what his sports career might have been if he did not waste his talents on using marijuana? Yes, marijuana is legal in several states in the US, but that does not mean that it will not affect your ability to do sports.

Amy Bockerstette

Amy Bockerstette (born October 15, 1998) is an American competitive amateur golfer and disabilities advocate with Down syndrome. She is the first person with Down syndrome to both receive an athletic scholarship to attend college and also to compete in a national collegiate championship.

In high school, Bockerstette became the first person with Down syndrome to play in the Arizona High School Girls Golf Division I State Championship, where she competed as both a junior and senior. In 2017, she was honored at the AZCentral.com Sports Awards with the Best Moment of the Year Award for Arizona High School Sports.

As a representative of Special Olympics Arizona, Bockerstette played in the LPGA Bank of Hope Founders Cup Pro-Am with professional golfers Sarah Jane Smith and Gerina Piller in March 2017. She was named by AZCentral.com as one of the “Ten Most Intriguing High School Athletes of 2017”.

In May 2018, Bockerstette signed a letter of intent to play golf at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She studied dance at PVCC and played on a full golf scholarship, completing her college career in May 2022. She was afforded two one-year golf scholarship extensions due to COVID-19.

Bockerstette is a Special Olympics athlete in golf, swimming and volleyball and plays Challenger baseball. She also plays piano.

Bockerstette and her family launched a 501 nonprofit corporation, the I GOT THIS Foundation, at her 21st birthday party in October 2019. The foundation’s mission is to promote golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

On April 29, 2022, Bockerstette was named as one of the 48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona by 48 Arizona Women and the Arizona Historical Society. She is featured in a coffee table book entitled: Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women—A New Decade, telling each woman’s story in words and photos. Honorees were selected from 15 cities across Arizona.

On June 6-9, 2022, Bockerstette competed at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando Florida in the Level 5 category, 18 holes individual golf competition, at Orange National Golf Center, where she won a Silver medal.

Bockerstette continues to represent the I Got This Foundation, as a speaker and by attending various charity golf tournaments and fundraising events, where she advocates for inclusion and for people with disabilities.

Summary

These 4 individuals are examples of people who “took advantage of their strengths” so they could fulfill their dreams. So the next time you try to tell yourself, “I cannot do X” just read these famous athlete’s stories (and many more like them). Then find your own strength, so you can take advantage of it to be the best you can be.

The GlamourBuff Team is a set of experienced writers associated with the Glamour Buff magazine, reporting world news, celebrity lifestyle, and exclusive Hollywood details.

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Is Deceased Actress Shelley Duvall Related To Robert Duvall?

Shelley Duvall passed away in July 2024.

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is shelley duvall related to robert duvall

Shelley Duvall is an American actress and producer whose unique screen presence and eclectic roles have left a lasting impression on the film industry. Born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, Duvall was discovered by director Robert Altman, who cast her in his 1970 film “Brewster McCloud.” This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Duvall and Altman, with Duvall appearing in several of his films throughout the 1970s, including “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971), “Thieves Like Us” (1974), and the critically acclaimed “3 Women” (1977).

Her performance in “3 Women” garnered her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, cementing her status as a formidable talent.

Duvall’s career reached new heights with her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic horror film “The Shining” (1980). Her portrayal of the tormented wife opposite Jack Nicholson’s deranged Jack Torrance has become one of the most memorable performances in horror cinema.

Although her performance initially received mixed reviews, it has since been re-evaluated and is now celebrated for its raw emotional intensity. The same year, she charmed audiences as Olive Oyl in Robert Altman’s “Popeye,” showcasing her versatility by transitioning from horror to comedy.

In addition to her film work, Duvall made significant contributions to television. She created, produced, and hosted the beloved children’s series “Faerie Tale Theatre” (1982-1987), which featured star-studded adaptations of classic fairy tales. The show was a critical and commercial success, further establishing Duvall as a creative force in the entertainment industry.

Her dedication to producing quality family entertainment extended to other projects, such as “Tall Tales & Legends” and “Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.”

Despite stepping away from the public eye in the 1990s, Duvall’s legacy endures. Her body of work continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike, with renewed interest in her contributions to film and television. Documentaries and retrospectives have highlighted her unique talent and the indelible mark she has left on the industry.

Shelley Duvall died at the age of 75

According to reports citing a family spokesperson and her longtime partner, Shelley Duvall has died at the age of 75. She passed away in her sleep at their home in Blanco, Texas, due to complications from diabetes, her life partner of more than 30 years, Dan Gilroy, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us,” Gilroy said. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

Is Shelley Duvall related to Robert Duvall?

No, Shelley Duvall is not related to Robert Duvall. Despite sharing the same last name, they are not connected by family. Shelley Duvall and Robert Duvall both have distinguished careers in the film industry but come from different backgrounds and have no familial ties.

Robert Duvall, also Robert Selden Duvall, is an American actor and director whose distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards.

Born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, Duvall began his career in theatre during the late 1950s before transitioning to television and film roles in the early 1960s. His early work included notable appearances in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) and “Captain Newman, M.D.” (1963).

Duvall’s career gained significant momentum in the early 1970s with larger roles in films such as “MASH” (1970) and “THX 1138” (1971). His breakthrough came with a series of critical successes, starting with his iconic role as Tom Hagen in “The Godfather” (1972) and “The Godfather Part II” (1974). He continued to deliver powerful performances in acclaimed films like “Network” (1976), “The Great Santini” (1979), “Apocalypse Now” (1979), and “True Confessions” (1981).

Throughout his career, Duvall has showcased his versatility in both film and television. He received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Tender Mercies” (1983) and captivated audiences with his performances in “The Natural” (1984), “Colors” (1988), and the miniseries “Lonesome Dove” (1989). His portrayal of historical figures and complex characters continued with roles in “Stalin” (1992), “The Man Who Captured Eichmann” (1996), and “A Family Thing” (1996).

In the late 1990s and beyond, Duvall maintained his reputation as a formidable actor with notable performances in “The Apostle” (1997), which he also wrote and directed, earning him critical acclaim. His later works include “A Civil Action” (1998), “Gods and Generals” (2003), and the television miniseries “Broken Trail” (2006). Duvall’s enduring talent and dedication to his craft have solidified his place as one of America’s most respected actors.

Look at Shelley Duvall’s family and early life

Shelley Alexis Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, as the first child of Bobbie Ruth Crawford, a real estate broker and legal professional, and Robert Richardson “Bobby” Duvall, a cattle auctioneer who later became a lawyer.

She grew up with three younger brothers: Scott, Shane, and Stewart. Due to her father’s work, Duvall’s early years were spent moving around various locations in Texas before the family eventually settled in Houston when she was five years old.

Duvall was an artistic and energetic child, earning the nickname “Manic Mouse” from her mother. She also sang in a choir during her childhood.

Despite her artistic inclinations, Duvall developed an interest in science at a young age and aspired to become a scientist during her teenage years. She attended Waltrip High School, graduating in 1967, and then worked selling cosmetics at Foley’s, a department store.

Continuing her education, she attended South Texas Junior College, where she majored in nutrition and diet therapy, reflecting her diverse interests and ambitions during her formative years.

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Best Giveaways, Freebies and Offers

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Best Giveaways, Freebies and Offers

The Internet is bursting at the seams with incredible online promos. Folks can enjoy many offerings, including giveaways, freebies, and tremendous deals. If you are savvy enough, you’ll know exactly where to look. These value-added attractions allow you to save money and score more.

With exclusive deals, digital coupons designed for discounts, and limited-time gifts, there’s always something exciting to be had. Browsers can scour the world wide web for various beneficial offers, including trial subscriptions to online magazines, video streaming services, news sites, etc. 

These incredible offers, and scores more like them, are designed to add value to your virtual experience. Whether it’s an online shopping experience par excellence or an entertainment session a’la Las Vegas, you’re in for a rollercoaster ride with the hottest offers. But before we get started, it should be pointed out that these offers span the full spectrum.

Every industry is covered, including entertainment, fashion, technology, gaming, and beyond. It’s a veritable tour de force in rewards, benefits, and deals. People of all budgets – big, small, and none-at-all – can benefit immeasurably from doing their homework. 

Some savvy shoppers receive free gifts with purchases, others get generous signup bonuses, and there are also special holiday promos for travelers out there. These online deals are geared toward folks who want much more out of life. If you are in it to win it, you’ll certainly want to breeze through this article in search of some utterly desirable, fantastically generous giveaways, freebies, and offers.

Our first order of business is fun, fun, fun! That means we are heading directly to the Hit It Rich! Free Gift Promo. This unbeatable offer from legendary gaming developer and peerless social gaming platform – Zynga – is all the rage.

Players are thrust into the limelight with an unbeatable Free Daily Gift! It’s a complimentary coin gift showcased in grand style – glamorously, in fact – at the acclaimed Zynga Store. Players simply need to connect their accounts, claim daily giveaways every 24 hours, and enjoy an endless stream of world-class slots, card games, and table games for free.

The social gaming app is available for players at the App Store for iPhone and iPad or the Google Play Store for Android smartphones and tablets. There’s also an app for those on Amazon Kindle, too. 

The online entertainment arena, particularly virtual gaming, is like a magnet to hundreds of millions of players worldwide. What better way to stake your claim to exciting entertainment than with free daily bonuses, tiered VIP benefits (Sapphire, Emerald, Gold, Platinum, Ruby, Diamond, Black Diamond, Yellow Diamond, and Blue Diamond), and so much more? With Diamond Challenges – Daily Challenges and Infinite Challenges – players are plopped in the limelight with incredible offers. It’s definitely worth checking out, and it’s 100% free to start.

Money Saving Tips, Tricks and Strategies 

But there are loads of other freebies available to folks online. Many people are looking for money-saving tips, tricks, and strategies, and sites like Free Stuff Finder or Freebie Shark are all sizzling hot. Hey, It’s Free! It is a great example of legit freebies for folks on the Internet. The offers are genuine, and the deals are great. If you are searching the Internet for free samples by mail, product testing, paid surveys, amazing deals, or other recommended sites, you may want to check out Guide 2 Free. There are loads of contests where you can enter to win extraordinary prizes and places to get freebies on your birthday.

For example, restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food outlets typically offer birthday freebies to registered users at Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s, Baskin Robbins, IHOP, Applebee’s, Krispy Kreme, Buffalo Wild Wings, and California Pizza Kitchen. There are dozens more big-name brands that give free stuff to focus on their birthdays – so check out your favorite places, register online via apps, and get started. There’s plenty of celebrating to be at with birthday freebie sites, special coupons for deep discounts, and points doubling, tripling, or quadrupling offers.

Many consider customer awards to be slick marketing devices designed to target customers and generate brand loyalty. While annoying at times, they are certainly beneficial regarding cost savings benefits, customer loyalty, brand awareness, and driving growth. Since all customers are not created equal, intelligent technology (AI and algorithms, to be precise) is utilized to learn about customer tastes and preferences, buying patterns, habits, and trends. Importantly, as indicated by Harvard Business Review, every creation must exceed the cost of the value delivered. This is how sustainable business models are adopted.

Websites like The Penny Hoarder do a great job of providing cost-cutting tips, sage advice, and easy-to-follow guides, giveaways, freebies, and promotional offers. They routinely recommend free-to-play social games, free deserts, payment for watching movies and writing reviews, free chocolate giveaways, complimentary ice cream, and gift cards. 

One of the challenges with websites and blogs offering free stuff to online patrons is availability. Since many promotional offers are time-restricted or quantity-restricted, broken links on promotional pages are commonplace. Nonetheless, these companies continue offering new freebies long after others have expired. It is worth looking around, scouting about, and checking out the latest giveaways, freebies, and offers!

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Kathryn Dennis Posts Heartfelt Message Following DUI Arrest

Dennis was arrested for driving under the influence.

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Kathryn Dennis Posts Heartfelt Message Following DUI Arrest

Former reality TV star Kathryn Dennis has broken her silence following a recent DUI arrest, taking to social media to share a heartfelt message about the value of life.

On Wednesday, Dennis returned to Instagram, posting a quote on her story that read, “You can literally be here today and gone tomorrow. Be grateful, be humble, be appreciative, be kind, be loving.”

Kathryn Dennis’s Instagram story reflecting on the value of life.

This introspective message comes just a week after she was arrested in Goose Creek, S.C., for driving under the influence and driving with an open container. The arrest followed a three-car collision, after which a responding officer reported that Dennis had “glossy eyes and an odor of alcohol coming from her person,” according to TMZ.

Footage of the incident captured Dennis arguing with the police as they conducted several field sobriety tests. The situation escalated when she was told to put her hands behind her back, prompting her to ask, “Wait why? Am I in trouble?”

Once in the backseat of the police car, the Southern Charm alum expressed her distress, stating, “Ya’ll are ruining my life — and my kids’ [lives]. Thanks for nothing.” She also criticized the police for arresting people without considering the impact on their children, adding, “What if they have kids? Because it could really affect their children’s lives.”

Her arrest and her emotional reaction highlight her ongoing struggles with substance abuse, a battle she has been open about over the years. In 2019, she admitted that she was not completely sober and still consumed alcohol. This admission came three years after she completed a court-ordered stint in rehab in Malibu, Calif., as part of her custody agreement with her ex, Thomas Ravenel.

Dennis and Ravenel share two children, daughter Kensington, 10, and son Saint Julien, 8. Their tumultuous relationship ended in 2016, but their co-parenting journey has been marred by public disputes and legal battles.

In July 2019, Ravenel accused Dennis of being “addicted to prescription medications, marijuana, alcohol, shopping, and sex,” allegations which she denied.

The recent events have brought renewed attention to Dennis’s personal challenges and her ongoing efforts to manage them. Her return to social media and her reflective message indicate a desire to focus on positive values and perhaps a renewed commitment to her personal well-being and the well-being of her children.

As she navigates the aftermath of her arrest, her message serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of gratitude and kindness. For her followers and fans, it’s a moment of vulnerability and reflection from a public figure who has faced her share of public and private battles. Whether this incident marks a turning point in her journey remains to be seen, but for now, Kathryn Dennis is taking stock of life’s preciousness and the need to cherish every moment.

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