Student Disability Services in collaboration with Office of Diversity Initiatives, Multicultural Student Center, Student Government Association and the School of Social Work hosted “Smashing Stereotypes,” a disability event during Diversity Week 2010 in the Pegasus Ballroom.
The event featured Mark Zupan as the guest speaker. Zupan is a wheelchair rugby player and the captain of the United States wheelchair rugby team. When the team competed in the Paralympics Games in 2004, they won a bronze medal. In 2008, they took home the gold from Beijing. Zupan is best known for his appearance in the 2005 film Murderball. He talked about how he never let his injury slow him down, and that he hopes in the future to be able to complete an Ironman: 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride plus a full marathon, without a break.
Zupan was injured while in high school and shared some of his experiences during his recovery and on into college. He credited accommodations through the college disability services and the counseling center for the ability that allowed him to concentrate on his studies, along with girls and other activities, rather than figuring out how to work around the disability. When told he could not do something because of the disability, his response was “Oh yeah, just watch me.”
“He really connected with everyone and it was a privilege to hear him speak at the Smashing Stereotypes event,” said David Braverman, attendee.