Athletes with disabilities, however, often attribute their participation and success to self-motivation and friends. Women athletes who become disabled later in life already have a support system of teachers, coaches, friends, and partners who still encourage them. Disabled athletes with encouraging, supportive parents are often leaders in their sport and community. They believe their success in leadership is a result of good parenting. Many athletes with disabilities of all kinds agree that sports are an important way to affirm their competence and worth.
Sports sway the focus from people s disabilities and place attention on their abilities.
Through sports, a person s skill and expertise is valued and significant. Approximately 43 million people in the United States have documented disabilities. The United States has eight major sport organizations for the disabled. Since 1988 disabled athletes, except for the deaf and mentally retarded, have been required by international policy to compete at the same time and place. A 1991 Harris poll revealed that nondisabled Americans have trouble relating to those with disabilities.