As a kid, I got to play wheelchair sports such as basketball, and soccer. While there was some modification, the basics were the same as anybody else who played. Track and Field were also a part of my childhood. It seems like yesterday I was on the starting line of the 60 meter dash. I was a fantastic sprinter, so the 60 meter dash was a perfect fit to win 1st place. My favorite field event was the club and javelin. I competed in the shot put, and actually landed on the front page of the local newspaper holding a shot put in my hand.
I suppose the point to sharing this is that my family made sure that I was active. I stayed plenty active in sports. Unfortunately, as an adult I went years without being active. It wasn’t until I started attending church, and getting to make friends that I started getting to be a social person. However, when I got my dog last year, that’s when my activity level went to an all time high. With my dog, Chancey, I was able to break all kinds of boundaries I had built around me because I was so anxious.
Without the help of Chancey, I’d probably still be in my comfort zone, watching television all day waiting for someone to initiate some type of activity that I could be part of. Since I have gotten a dog, I feel so much healthier. Dogs are a great motivator!