ROB GOSSE

“You’re an inspiration” is a phrase I’ve never felt comfortable with. I prefer to see myself as a father and athlete. I’m no different from anyone else. We all have our own stories. My story just happens to include an accident that changed the way I make my way through the world. I’ve been an athlete since childhood, and at one time, I was training for the Olympics in gymnastics.

After my accident, I came back to sports—but in the adaptive world. I made it as far as competing in the world competition for disabled waterskiing, setting a Canadian record for my category as well as setting a personal best.

I like to share my story of how sports opened so many doors and opportunities for me that I never thought possible. When I see something and say “I want to try that,” it’s never followed by “but I can’t because I have a disability.” I try to look at everything through the eyes of “How can I make that work for me?” On the days I just don’t have the energy, I lean into my support network to help me see the “how.”

My best advice for anyone is to stop telling yourself “I can’t” and replace that phrase with “How can I … ?” Just altering the words can change your entire perspective of what you’re capable of. As I age, I’m looking for ways to keep my body fit and my brain active. I didn’t realize that yoga and basic fitness could be so good at strengthening my muscles. Although my mind will always go for the adrenaline and speed, my physically aging self needs to slow down—just a little but not too much. But no matter my speed, I’m still going to look for the “how.”

DK
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