Sport is everything
One and a half years ago during a training session I suffered from a neck injury. Up until that moment I was living a life that a lot of people could only dream to have, because every part of it was making me happy and desireful for progress. Before the injury I was working as a tattooist and was practising parkour. Also, I was organising and leading parkour classes.
I believe that having a goal, trying to achieve it and enjoying the whole process is the most important thing in life.
Before the injury I spent the majority of my time on sports. I had goals I was trying to achieve. One of them was to open a specialised gym for parkour training and physical conditioning training applying movement methods needed to overcome obstacles. In addition to this, I had a goal to break a guinness world record, which I was working on with my friend. The aim of the record was to hold a static exercise called “human scale” for as long as we can. I always was fascinated by the idea of overcoming human’s limitations.
After I broke my neck I understood that I will have to start from scratch and relearn everything. My goal was to live independently. I know this objective may seem small, easy and boring when compared with earlier goals. However, only while learning how to sit, how to move myself from the wheelchair into a bed and how to complete other daily tasks, I found out more about my body, its new possibilities. I understood that even as most of my body has been paralysed and range of movement became limited, it has not became easier to reach the limits of my physical body. Nonetheless, getting closer to those limits, although very slowly, admires me as much as before.
This summer was very unique. As my lifestyle now is completely different than before, during summer I was able to collect new experiences, try new activities. The aim of this summer was to find a sport, which I would like to practise professionally. After assessing my desires and physical abilities I had a few options. However, immediately after I had a chance to try a racing wheelchair, I understood that it is the sport with which I want to reach my physical limits.
To attain the best possible physical shape as I can, nowadays I am training 4-5 hours in rehabilitation hospital and 2-3 hours in a gym, 6 days per week, so that when I will get the needed wheelchair, I could start mastering the driving technique and begin competing.
First Obstacle
Unfortunately, in the beginning I did not think that getting a racing wheelchair can be so difficult. It turned out that Lithuanian Sport Federation for disabled can not give me an opportunity to practise wheelchair racing simply because they do not have the needed wheelchair. Also, they are not showing any signs of interest to get one. At this moment I understood that I have to get it myself. Sadly, it costs so much, that at the beginning I was not even sure how to do that.
Money doesn’t buy happiness
Ironically, even though money does not buy happiness, which at most cases is definitely a true statement, but at this moment for a full happiness and an opportunity to seek my goals money is exactly what I need. I need them to buy: racing wheelchair($5954), special gloves($179) and rollers($810) for indoor training.
http://www.spinlife.com/Invacare-Top-End-Eliminator-OSR-Racer-Racer/spec.cfm?productID=1962#.VF3gbYzFHbW
http://www.harnessdesigns.com/RacingGloves.html
Objective - paralympics
For most people sports are just a great way to spend their free time, but for me that’s everything. Sports for me are equal to oxygen. Ofcourse, I can hold my breath for a short period of time, but soon after that I am starting to suffocate. Therefore idea that in favour of long and hard training sessions I am going to meet and compete with the world’s strongest sportsmen, pushes me forward.
One out of three millions
It has turned out, that I am the first tetraplegic man in Lithuania trying to get into wheelchair racing. Perhaps that is why everything is so complicated. On the other hand, I really want and hope for this sport to progress throughout the future years.
Good example inspires
Neck injuries are one of the most complicated and do have the most serious consequences out there. This complicates not only the movement, but also everything around. The majority of people who suffered from a spinal cord injury limit their own capabilities as they miss walking way too much. However, put walking aside and opportunities become huge. Therefore, if there is going to be a single person inspired by me, then it definitely would make me really happy.
Perks
Furthermore, I do have a more artistic side. You can check it here:
http://mindaugasbaltuska.deviantart.com
Thus I have decided to draw something with a computer, print it on canvas and send it to each of one who will support my dream by at least $500.
What if I won’t succeed?
That is possible, but as long as I will get the needed wheelchair, it is only a matter of time when I am going to achieve the result, which will be a ticket to paralympics. I believe that a receipt for success is simple: belief, passion, hard work.
Follow me after it’s done
If I will reach the needed amount of support, I am inviting you all to follow my progress in my facebook page as well as in YouTube channel, where you are going to see my journey of reaching this goal.
Thanks for your time!