In Upfront Magazine’s article, “The Natural”, Mike Tierney focuses on a young man who was born with a disability but proves himself to the public by playing basketball. Zach Hodskins, a high schooler in Atlanta was born without his left forearm and hand. Despite his disability, he has taken up the hobby of playing basketball. In this article Tierney explains the theory that Hodskins talks about; he plays basketball not only because he love it but to also prove to people that just because he is disabled, doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have the ability to play as well as they can. Hodskins makes it clear that he wants to help other people around the world who have disabilities as well, and Tierney includes in his article other disabled athletes who have been very successful.
Zach Hodskins faced lots of doubts and challenges when he began his dream of being a basketball player. He felt that he needed to prove himself right and that he was strong enough to accomplish whatever he wanted. He built strengths around his missing arm and made it clear that it didn’t matter when he looked like, he could be whoever he wanted to be. Using his strengths like being 6’4 and having a great passing and shooting range, he tries to make himself the best one on the court. “He has such an extreme desire to prove himself at the highest level he can,” says his father, who supports his dreams and goals. His family doesn’t treat Zach any differently than the other family members. You would think that having a disability would make you uncertain but that surely was not the case with Zach. In fact, his disability made him more confident and determined than most of the kids on his team.
Hodskins is definitely confident with himself, but what about other disabled children and adults? After a youtube video of Zach playing basketball went viral getting over 4 million views, many people who need advice or help with their disability have contacted him. Zach is happy to help other people who are going through the same fight he is going through. He gives them confidence and advice on how to cope and manage the hard parts. But more than anything, Hodskins helps them embrace and accept their disability because it is something you should be proud of. Prove to the world that it is something to be proud of, and that you can accomplish anything, despite your disability.
I found this article very inspiring. Having a disability or to have something hold you back can be really hard. But Zach proves this point wrong as he shows how successful you can be despite the hardships; To move past the challenges and try as hard as you can to prove you are more than just disabled.
