Student News
Paralympian, Tim Prendergast
"Be the best you can be"
25th January 2012
Determination means making up your mind about something and never giving in no matter what the circumstances; it is one value that we use in everyday life whether it’s for a long- or short-term goal. It is one of the most important values and thus is one of the four Paralympic Values.
Why include determination in the Paralympic values? Paralympians may be born with their disability and thus have struggled from the onset facing much prejudice and difficulties in achieving what they desire. On the other hand, not all are born with their disabilities and may have had a life-changing experience meaning extreme alterations to their normal life. This could be anything from slowly losing their eyesight to an accident resulting in paralysis. This sudden loss of a 'normal' life is devastating to family and friends as well as the individual - often leaving them with the feeling they have had their life unfairly taken away from them. Determination is therefore a key part of their recovery. For these paralympians being able to come from such a low place to setting a goal to represent their country requires much perseverance and determination.
Recently I met Paralympian Tim Prendergast who started to lose his vision at the age of eight. After five years Tim’s vision was reduced to only 5% making him legally blind. Imagine how you would feel in his position, once to be able see all your friends and family clearly - and then after five years for that simply to vanish. Dreams such as Tim’s, of representing your country in cricket, or even everyday things like driving a car, would disappear. One of the few things that Prendergast could still do was run, and through training and inspirational determination he qualified to represent his country in athletics. He first ran for New Zealand in 1998. Tim’s main ethos that he lives by is “be the best that you can be”. It’s not about impressing other people but being determined to do what you want to do.
People often set personal goals, whether this is to gain a first class degree at university or just simply get more active. Many often see the New Year as a fresh start and set new personal goals. Many second years may aim to gain the grades they need for their chosen universities. So how do we maintain this determination, as achieving our aims can require many long hours spent revising?
The end goal is what motivates me to keep working at my personal goals. One is to get fitter so my target is to do exercise every day. So far I’ve been successful but it’s only day 10! I’m hoping by keeping a record of my improvements I will keep my resolve. Tim Prendergast reached his with Gold in the 800m at the 2004 Athens Olympics and now he has set new goals to push himself further in being the best he can be.