‘Let me win’ : narrative of an intellectually disabled person participating in competitive sport

Abstract

Sport may be the key to empower disabled persons to increase their self-esteem and selfconfidence and to enable them to enjoy a better quality of life. The lived experience of competitive sport of an intellectually disabled person, who engaged in sport activities and progressed into competitive sport were investigated to find out how a disabled person could actively engage in the creation of a sporting identity. This study made use of a qualitative line of investigation to explore the benefits and barriers to sport participation by disabled persons, as well as the construction of a sporting identity by the participant. Thus, an in-depth portrait of the thoughts and feelings of an intellectually disabled person who participates actively in competitive sport were sought in this study. Data was collected through a series of five interviews in which the participant was encouraged to narrate her story. The interviews focused mainly on her journey and her feelings, as well as the effect that her sacrifices, sheer hard work, determination and resilience had on her success as a competitive swimming athlete. A Foucauldian approach was used to investigate the amazing life journey of Maya, who became a young successful competitive swimming athlete, winning medals both in local and international swimming competitions. This research study demonstrates that success in sport is possible if there is the determination, enthusiasm and resilience of the disabled person herself backed by the support and belief in her potential by both her parents and coaches alike.