While many high school students will be spending their early September in the classroom, a West Central Valley junior will be hitting the lakes for a national competition. Suzanne Shoemaker will be competing at the 2018 Disabled Water Ski National Championships at Twin Oaks Lakes in Paducah, Kentucky September 5-8.

Shoemaker earned her spot at the national tournament by completing a full pass in the slalom portion at a recent qualifying event. A full, or complete, pass is comprised of several gates and turn buoys. She credits her qualification to support from her family, her recently acquired equipment, and constant practice at her home lake, Diamondhead Lake, between Stuart and Dexter.

Shoemaker, who lives with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, tells Raccoon Valley Radio what she would say to others with disabilities who are thinking about getting involved in athletics. “Look for the opportunities. There’s people that will help you…I’m just glad I had all the people to come help me do it. You can’t do it without people.”

Her father, James, who also serves as her coach, talks about how athletics has helped her in everyday life. “Participating in sports has really built her strength and her confidence so that she can not only participate in the sports better but also in daily activities. The stronger arms and shoulders help her with transfers. The better balance helps her when she’s seated or transferring around. So the sport actually makes her life better. Just like life makes the sports better.”

The results from the national tournament will be used to select the 2019 U.S. Disabled Team, which will compete in the 2019 Disabled Water Ski World Championships. To hear more about Shoemaker’s qualification, listen to today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.