Ready, Set, Race!

Penelope took a deep breath. She stood at the starting line and gripped the handlebars of her frame runner. This was a big race. It was the 2022 Move United Junior Nationals, and there were kids from across the country competing. 

Penelope felt her feet on the ground and focused on her goal. She was prepared for this moment. “I’ve got this,” she told herself.

BOOM! The starting pistol went off. The race had begun, and Penelope was darting down the track. Would she be the next champion?

Penelope took a deep breath. She stood at the starting line and held the handlebars of her frame runner. This was a big race. It was the 2022 Move United Junior Nationals. There were kids from across the country competing.

Penelope felt her feet on the ground and focused on her goal. She was ready for this moment. “I’ve got this,” she told herself.

BOOM! The starting pistol went off. The race started. Penelope was darting down the track. Would she be the next champion?

Penelope has always loved sports. She’s done soccer, baseball, swimming, and karate. She needs a little extra help when she competes because she has cerebral palsy, a condition that makes controlling her body difficult. To get around, Penelope uses a power wheelchair or walks with a wheeled device called a gait trainer.

Two years ago, Penelope tried a sport called wheelchair racing. It’s a popular sport for people who have difficulty moving their legs. Some kids compete in racing wheelchairs, and others run using frame runners. 

Penelope tried using a racing wheelchair, but it wasn’t right for her. So she switched to a frame runner instead and fell in love with the sport!

Penelope has always loved sports. She’s done soccer, baseball, swimming, and karate. She needs a little extra help when she plays because she has a condition called cerebral palsy. It makes controlling her body hard. To get around, Penelope uses a power wheelchair or walks with a wheeled device called a gait trainer.

Two years ago, Penelope tried a sport called wheelchair racing. It’s a popular sport for people who have a hard time moving their legs. Some kids compete in racing wheelchairs, and others run using frame runners. 

Penelope tried using a racing wheelchair, but it wasn’t right for her. So she switched to a frame runner instead and fell in love with the sport!

Penelope woke up early every Saturday morning to train. She learned how to stay in her lane and keep her feet on the ground. She kept improving, and soon, she qualified to run in four races at Junior Nationals!

The competition was last July in Denver, Colorado. Penelope’s whole family flew out for the event. 

On the big day, Penelope looked around her. There were people with all different types of disabilities. They were all strong and loved to compete and succeed at their sport. 

Penelope smiled and thought, “I’m not alone.”  

Penelope woke up early every Saturday morning to train. She learned how to stay in her lane and keep her feet on the ground. She kept getting better. Soon she qualified to run in four races at Junior Nationals!

The competition was last July in Denver, Colorado. Penelope’s whole family flew out for the event. 

On the big day, Penelope looked around her. There were people with all different types of disabilities. They were all strong and loved to compete and succeed at their sport. 

Penelope smiled and thought, “I’m not alone.”

As the first race began, Penelope was full of energy. She concentrated and took one step at a time. Before she knew it, she crossed the finish line. She held her breath as she looked up at the scoreboard. 

Name: Penelope Fernandez

Time: 1 minute and 18 seconds

Penelope had run her fastest 100-meter race ever . . . and won! 

“I did it!” she shouted as her family waved posters and cheered her name.

That race was just the beginning for Penelope. She went on to win three more gold medals at Junior Nationals.

Now Penelope’s goal is to race the 800 meters at the 2023 Junior Nationals. It’s a longer race than she’s ever done before. But she takes it one step at a time, practices every week, and always tells herself, “I’ve got this.”

As the first race began, Penelope was full of energy. She concentrated and took one step at a time. Before she knew it, she crossed the finish line. She held her breath as she looked up at the scoreboard. 

Name: Penelope Fernandez

Time: 1 minute and 18 seconds

Penelope had run her fastest 100-meter race ever. She had won! 

“I did it!” she shouted as her family waved posters and cheered her name.

That race was just the beginning for Penelope. She went on to win three more gold medals at Junior Nationals.

Now Penelope’s goal is to race the 800 meters at the 2023 Junior Nationals. It’s a longer race than she’s ever done before. But she takes it one step at a time, practices every week, and always tells herself, “I’ve got this.”

I love to play sports! When I compete, I need a little extra support. My legs don’t move as well as other kids’ legs, so I use crutches to help me walk and wear braces on my legs to keep them strong. 

I also love to go fast . . . really fast. When I heard about wheelchair racing, I knew I had to try it!

I love to play sports! When I compete, I need a little extra support. My legs don’t move as well as other kids’ legs move. I use crutches to help me walk and wear braces on my legs to keep them strong. 

I also love to go fast . . . really fast. When I heard about wheelchair racing, I knew I had to try it!

I was excited to race, but I had never used a racing wheelchair before. Luckily, I had two amazing coaches!

We trained together every Saturday morning. I learned how to steer, go fast, and most important, stay safe. I wore gloves to protect my hands from the wheels and a helmet. It was hard work, but I was motivated!

Finally, it was time for my first race. On your mark . . . get set . . . GO! I took off as fast as I could. I didn’t win, but the race was exciting. A few months later, I had another race. This time I won! All my work had paid off.

Now I’m 13 years old and play other sports, like wheelchair tennis. But I’ll never forget the lessons I learned from wheelchair racing. 

I was excited to race, but I had never used a racing wheelchair before. Luckily, I had two amazing coaches!

I practiced with my coaches every Saturday morning. I learned how to steer, go fast, and stay safe. That’s the most important part. I wore gloves to protect my hands from the wheels and a helmet to protect my head. It was hard work, but I was motivated!

Finally, it was time for my first race. On your mark . . . get set . . . GO! I took off as fast as I could. I didn’t win. But the race was still exciting. I had another race a few months later. This time I won! All my work had paid off.

Now I’m 13 years old and play other sports, like wheelchair tennis. I’ll never forget the lessons I learned from wheelchair racing.