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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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Netflix Game Installs have Rocketed by 180%

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Netflix Game Installs have Rocketed by 180%

In 2021, Netflix announced that they would be taking gaming very seriously. They ventured into a new business, with hopes of dominating the mobile market. At the time, the mobile market was saturated with titles that were either ad-supported or pay-to-play.

Netflix wanted to change the game by making their titles free to play, without any advertisements or options for in-app purchases. The gamble may finally be paying off, as at the end of 2023, they announced that gaming downloads were up 180%. 81.2 million downloads have been initiated across the world, with the fourth quarter of 2023 accounting for over 53%.

Netflix began with making a small catalogue of casual games, based on some of their many hit shows and originals. They then began to acquire game studios, including Night School Studios in 2021. They then acquired Next Games from Finland and Spry Fox. They aimed to develop a strong portfolio of content that catered to both different tastes and genre preferences.

The Advancement of Smartphone Technology

One driving factor behind Netflix’s success would be the advancement of smartphone technology. Casino gaming in particular has benefited from this, with it being on the rise across the world.

Players can now access their favourite games on the go while taking advantage of unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Canada in particular is experiencing huge growth right now, with the live casino Canada market set to reach US$2.61bn in 2024. The strong gaming market has led to Netflix testing their program in Canada, as well as the UK.

The streaming giant is also working on game mirroring so that their titles can be played both on TVs and PCs.  As the company looks to cloud gaming as being its next frontier, they are gaining a huge amount of traction. Their recent announcements have helped to bolster their game downloads, encouraging them to adopt more popular titles.

Netflix Subscriptions and Game Access

Netflix’s move into the gaming sector is also helping to support their streaming numbers. As the gaming platform is tied in with the subscription, month-over-month downloads tripled.

Those who had a subscription already had access to the latest games and gamers had access to a wide range of originals and shows.  Right now, action is the top gaming genre for Netflix, with the second being lifestyle gaming. Puzzle comes in at number 3, with game rotations set to happen throughout the year.

Netflix is also working on making games based on the shows that they have created, with licensing acquired for titles that do not relate to Netflix programming.

One thing to take note of is that Netflix’s boom in gaming came after months of stagnation. This could indicate that Netflix has to keep releasing regular titles so that it can keep its momentum.

Last year, they released 40 games, while testing gameplay on TVs across the UK, US and Canada. This year, personalisation looks to be the main focus, with suggestions being made based on previous gaming preferences. This feature will become more prominent, as more titles are added.

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Demystifying Crypto Mining: A College Student’s Guide to Starting Small

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Demystifying Crypto Mining: A College Student’s Guide to Starting Small

In today’s digital era, the allure and potential profitability of cryptocurrency have garnered significant interest, particularly among college students. With its complex terminology and innovative technology, the realm of crypto mining often seems intimidating to those just starting.

However, it’s a field ripe with opportunities for learning, earning, and applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. For students balancing the demands of studying, assignments, and perhaps even a part-time job, the prospect of adding crypto mining to their plate might seem daunting.

Adopting the correct strategy can turn it into a valuable experience that enhances their educational path.

Among the plethora of information sources, students often seek reliable guidance on managing their academic workload effectively, sometimes resorting to article review writing service that writes my essay to free up time for other pursuits like crypto mining.

This transition from purely academic activities to integrating practical, income-generating projects like crypto mining can provide invaluable hands-on experience and financial literacy, crucial skills in today’s world.

Understanding Crypto Mining

What is Crypto Mining?

Crypto mining serves as the method for validating and incorporating transactions of various cryptocurrencies into the blockchain’s digital ledger. This task demands the resolution of intricate mathematical problems using cryptographic hash functions associated with a block of transaction data.

The premier miner to crack these puzzles is permitted to append the block to the blockchain, earning a reward in the form of newly created cryptocurrency. This endeavor necessitates significant computational resources and energy. It is a critical component of maintaining the integrity and security of the blockchain network, ensuring transactions are validated and the network remains decentralized.

The Hardware and Software

For college students interested in starting small, understanding the hardware and software requirements is crucial. Originally, personal computers sufficed for mining activities. Yet, with escalating mining challenges, the need for more specialized apparatus has arisen.

For novices, robust GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are now prerequisites for efficient mining operations. Alongside the hardware, choosing the right mining software that connects you to the blockchain and mining pool is essential.

Options like CGMiner, BFGMiner, or EasyMiner are user-friendly and ideal for beginners. It’s important for students to research and invest in hardware that not only meets their current mining needs but also offers scalability for future growth.

Energy Consumption and Sustainability

A paramount concern in crypto mining is the substantial energy demand it entails. For students, this translates into not only an ethical consideration but also a practical one, as the cost of electricity can significantly impact the feasibility of mining projects.

Exploring renewable energy sources or participating in mining pools can mitigate some of these concerns, allowing for more sustainable mining practices. Miners should assess the ecological repercussions of their mining pursuits and explore creative strategies to minimize their environmental footprint while still achieving profitability.

Practical Tips for Starting Small

Start with a Mining Pool

For college students keen on embarking on crypto mining, joining a mining pool presents an ideal starting point. These pools consist of collective groups of miners who pool their computational strength, augmenting their likelihood of decrypting cryptographic challenges and securing rewards.

While this means sharing the rewards, it also significantly reduces the entry barriers, both in terms of the initial financial outlay for equipment and the ongoing electricity costs. It’s a smart strategy for students to pool resources and collaborate with others to overcome the challenges of solo mining.

Budgeting and Managing Expenses

Effective budgeting is crucial for students venturing into crypto mining. Balancing the costs of equipment, electricity, and potential dormitory restrictions with the potential earnings from mining requires careful planning and management.

Employing budgeting tools or spreadsheets for monitoring expenditures and revenue is instrumental in sustaining a lucrative mining venture. Students should also consider the potential tax implications of their mining activities and plan accordingly to ensure compliance with local tax laws.

Learning and Staying Informed

The crypto universe is dynamic and continually transforming. Remaining abreast of the newest developments, technologies, and regulatory adjustments is pivotal for triumph. Additionally, leveraging academic resources, participating in forums, and joining student-led blockchain clubs can enhance understanding and provide support.

Engaging with the crypto community and continuing education in blockchain technology can empower students to make informed decisions and stay ahead in the competitive mining landscape.

Conclusion

For college students curious about the world of cryptocurrency, starting small with crypto mining can be a rewarding venture that offers practical experience alongside academic pursuits. Balancing the demands of school, homework, part-time employment, and mining requires careful planning but is entirely feasible with the right approach.

As students navigate this exciting field, they not only gain financial literacy and technical skills but also prepare themselves for a future where digital currencies and blockchain technology play a significant role.

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Nate Diaz Believes Mike Tyson Can Defeat Jake Paul in Boxing Match

Nate Diaz has picked Mike Tyson to be winner against Jake Paul.

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Nate Diaz Believes Mike Tyson Can Defeat Jake Paul in Boxing Match

Nate Diaz is not afraid to voice his opinions, and this time, he has picked the winner of one of the most anticipated boxing matches between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. The veteran MMA fighter believes that the veteran 57-year-old boxer will defeat the former YouTuber and social media influencer.

Paul has been currently enjoying a series of wins after losing to Tomy Fury, and among them, one match was with Diaz himself.

Nate Diaz picks Mike Tyson as winner against Jake Paul

Diaz has picked the winner against Tyson and Paul and he didn’t hesitate picking the veteran boxer. In July 2020, the most anticipated boxing match between them was scheduled in Arlington, Texas.

Nate Diaz thinks Mike Tyson wins against Jake Paul

Nate Diaz thinks Mike Tyson won against Jake Paul. (Credit: Instagram)

At first, Diaz sounded like he didn’t think any of the match was going to happen, but later, he stated that Tyson would be the one whose arms would be raised by the referee. At first, he stated he couldn’t care less, but thinking for just a mere second, said Tyson.

Diaz himself is looking to come back to the ring whether it is in boxing or octagon. After losing to Paul he has not fought in any kind of combat matches.

Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal’s rivalry explained

Diaz is looking to get back in the boxing ring, this time with another MMA veteran, Jorge Masvidal.

They are scheduled to compete in a boxing match in Las Vegas this June. Happy Punch first reported the news, which was later confirmed by journalist Ariel Helwani. Previously the match was scheduled for March but now it has been postponed to June 1.

After the announcement, the MMA fighters are going back and forth against each other on various social media. Moreover, there have also been some rumors that the duo have agreed to have their rematch in the Octagon, possibly next year.

Jorge Masvidal calls out Nate Diaz

The upcoming MMA match between Masvidal and Diaz has recently received much attention. Masvidal posted a message challenging Diaz to a fight, expressing his confidence in defeating him.

This has added to the excitement surrounding the upcoming match, as both fighters are known for their intense fighting style. Masvidal’s callout has reignited fans’ interest in the rematch after he had kept quiet about his opponent for some time.

There has been a long rivalry between Diaz and Masvidal and fans are now about to witness two hardcore combat. They are set to fight in the boxing ring and may return to the octagon for the UFC 300 as the rematch for the first thrilling fight between the two.

Has Nate Diaz fought Jorge Masvidal Before?

Fans are excited about the boxing match between Diaz and Masvidal but those who watch the first fight between them are even more excited. The pair first fought each other in the main event of UFC 244 on Nov. 2, 2019, in Madison Square Garden.

In their previous fight, Masvidal was declared the winner over Diaz in the fourth round at UFC 244. Unfortunately, the match was halted by the ringside physician due to a cut on Diaz’s face.

This has led to a demand for a rematch, as both fighters have unfinished business. Masvidal wants to prove himself beyond doubt, while Diaz is seeking revenge. Hence the boxing match is gaining quite the buzz around the MMA audience as well.

Furthermore, if the rematch is announced in recent days then surely it will be one of the most watched events in the world. It is also not known if the event will take place in UFC or Jake Paul’s MMA company PFL.

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